FIA arrests four, including NADRA officials, over fake IDs for Afghan nationals
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies, arrested four suspects, including two National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officials, for their alleged involvement in issuing fraudulent identity documents to Afghan nationals, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
Those arrested were identified as NADRA Assistant Director Inamul Haq, Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, watchman Junaid Ahmed and a private agent, Mohammad Umar Shah. During the operation, officials seized records and other evidence, while the investigation was expanded to identify additional suspects, the FIA said.
The agency said further arrests and "significant disclosures" were expected as the probe progressed, adding that all facilitators and key members of the network would be brought to justice.
According to the FIA's preliminary investigation, the suspects facilitated the illegal issuance of Pakistani identity documents to Afghan nationals by tampering with official records and engaging in other unlawful activities.
It further stated that initial evidence indicated the fake identity document racket was linked to terrorist organisations. "Authorities are conducting further investigations to determine the nature and extent of those suspected connections," it added.
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The FIA said it remained committed, alongside other law enforcement agencies, to continuing indiscriminate operations against individuals involved in harbouring terrorists, issuing fraudulent identity documents and other forms of organised crime that threaten national security.
The latest arrests come amid an intensified FIA crackdown launched earlier this year against alleged networks involved in obtaining and issuing fake Pakistani identity documents for Afghan nationals.
On April 8, the FIA had requested records of eight NADRA officials after an official in NADRA’s Karachi office was arrested for issuing Computerised National Identity Cards to two Afghans. The Afghans posing as Pakistani nationals were intercepted at the Jinnah International Airport while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia.
In May, FIA's Anti-Corruption Circle in Peshawar dismantled another alleged network accused of helping Afghans obtain fake Pakistani CNICs and passports.
Then again in June, FIA apprehended four NADRA employees working at a registration centre in Charsadda, including an assistant director, over allegations of illegally issuing CNICs to foreign nationals, particularly Afghans.