Islamabad, July 3, 2024 — A significant scandal involving the illegal issuance of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to non-nationals has come to light, shaking the very foundations of Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). This issue has sparked outrage at the highest levels of government and judiciary, leading to an in-depth investigation and scrutiny by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The Case: Muhammad Gohar vs The State
The controversy centers around the case titled “Muhammad Gohar vs The State through Assistant Director, CTW, FIA, Karachi.” This case has exposed a web of corruption involving NADRA officials who have been accused of illegally processing and approving CNICs for non-nationals, particularly Afghan nationals. The scale of this corruption is staggering, with 26 cases registered against 28 NADRA officials, 24 of whom have been arrested, while 4 remain at large.
Unfolding the Scandal
The issue first came to light when the Office of the Attorney General for Pakistan, Supreme Court Building, Islamabad, received a letter from NADRA highlighting severe lapses in the handling of cases involving the illegal issuance of CNICs. The letter, dated June 7, 2024, referenced complaints against NADRA employees suspected of illegal activities. It emphasized the need for strict action and thorough investigation to maintain the credibility of Pakistan’s national identity system.
Court Proceedings and Alarming Revelations
On June 7, 2024, the Supreme Court issued notices for the hearing of the case. During the proceedings, shocking revelations were made about the involvement of high-ranking officials from both NADRA and FIA in the corruption. Mr. Shabbir Hussain of FIA visited the office of the Additional Attorney General, Mr. Rashdeen Nawaz Kasuri, to discuss the case. He astonishingly requested not to oppose the bail for Muhammad Gohar, claiming personal connections with the petitioner, further implicating the involvement of influential individuals in the case.
The Role of NADRA
NADRA, tasked with the critical role of maintaining Pakistan’s national identity system, has found itself at the center of this scandal. The organization has provided comprehensive evidence to support the prosecution, including technical and forensic documentation, witness statements, and other pertinent materials. Despite this, concerns have been raised about the inconsistent follow-up on these cases, which has delayed judicial action and allowed the accused to seek bail on statutory grounds.
Attorney General’s Response
In response to the gravity of the situation, Mr. Rashdeen Nawaz Kasuri, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan, has taken a firm stand. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within NADRA and FIA. Mr. Kasuri pointed out the failure of NADRA to follow up on investigations diligently and the reluctance of some FIA officials to prosecute the accused vigorously.
Directives for Immediate Action
Mr. Kasuri issued strict directives to ensure the timely conclusion of these cases. He stressed the importance of loyalty to the state and adherence to the Constitution, particularly Article 5, which mandates every citizen’s duty to the state. The directives included a comprehensive review of all related cases, year-wise registration data over the past decade, and a detailed report on the status of pending and decided cases.
International Repercussions
The implications of this scandal extend beyond Pakistan’s borders. The Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh has expressed grave concerns over the potential loss of credibility for Pakistani CNICs and passports in Saudi Arabia. In a letter dated August 8, 2023, the embassy warned that continued incidents of illegal CNIC issuance could lead to severe consequences for millions of Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia and those aspiring to work there.
A Call for Integrity and Professionalism
Mr. Kasuri has called for senior officers with impeccable integrity to lead the investigations and trials. He emphasized that the current team, if left unchecked, could lead to further acquittals and damage to the country’s reputation. The Additional Attorney General underscored the need for a complete overhaul of the investigation process to ensure justice is served and public trust is restored.
Detailed Breakdown of FIRs
The magnitude of the corruption is reflected in the detailed breakdown of FIRs registered against NADRA officials. These FIRs reveal a systematic approach to the illegal issuance of CNICs across various regions in Pakistan:
- PS CTW Islamabad (11 FIRs):
- FIR No. 01/2024: Against Muhammad Gohar for processing 125 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 02/2024: Against Asfandyar for processing 228 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 08/2024: Against Muhammad Yousaf for processing 64 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 09/2024: Against Abdul Qadir for processing 96 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 10/2024: Against Sana Ullah for processing 20 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 11/2024: Against Muhammad Shah and co-accused for processing 661 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 12/2024: Against Muhammad Azam for processing 102 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 13/2024: Against Amir Muhammad for processing 109 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 14/2024: Against Sahibzada Umair Mehmood for processing 123 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 16/2024: Against Tanveer Ahmed for processing 76 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 17/2024: Against Muhammad Kashif Jamshaid for processing 123 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- PS CTW Peshawar (11 FIRs):
- FIR No. 01/2024: Against Naheed Ullah for processing 106 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 02/2024: Against Mohibullah for processing 116 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 03/2024: Against Muhammad Rizwan for processing 50 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 04/2024: Against Jamshaid Khan for processing 53 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 05/2024: Against Zain Ullah for processing 51 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 06/2024: Against Saif Ur Rahman for processing 97 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 07/2024: Against Muhammad Idrees for processing CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 08/2024: Against Rafi Ullah Khan for processing 49 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 11/2024: Against Abdul Jabbar for processing 173 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 12/2024: Against Asghar Shah for processing 70 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 13/2024: Against Adnan Iqbal for processing 118 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- PS CTW Lahore (2 FIRs):
- FIR No. 03/2024: Against Muhammad Qamar for processing 67 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 04/2024: Against Imran Shaukat for processing 53 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- PS CTW Karachi (1 FIR):
- FIR No. 01/2024: Against Salam Ullah Khan for processing 88 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
- FIR No. 02/2024: Against Abdul Qadeer for processing 52 CNICs for Afghan nationals.
Ensuring Accountability
The Attorney General’s office has mandated the submission of a detailed report within 30 days, outlining the progress of these cases. This report will include the number of cases registered, pending, and decided, as well as the percentage of convictions and acquittals. The goal is to ensure that the investigation and prosecution processes are conducted with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Conclusion
This scandal has highlighted significant flaws within NADRA and FIA, calling into question the integrity and efficiency of Pakistan’s national identity system. The Attorney General’s office, under the leadership of Mr. Rashdeen Nawaz Kasuri, has committed to addressing these issues head-on. By ensuring transparency, accountability, and swift judicial action, the government aims to restore public trust and safeguard the country’s reputation on the international stage.
The stakes are high, and the implications are far-reaching. As Pakistan navigates this crisis, it must remain vigilant in its efforts to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of its national identity system. The actions taken in the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of this scandal and the credibility of Pakistan’s institutions.
