Eight Nadra officials suspended over data theft

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has suspended its eight officials for their involvement in data theft of citizens.

The action has been taken on the recommendation of a joint investigation team formed to probe into theft of personal information of 2.7 million citizens.

According to sources, disciplinary action has been initiated against about a dozen officers in NADRA.

They added that over eight officers were suspended and charge sheets were given to them.

A Nadra spokesperson has confirmed the action in the light of JIT report.

Earlier, personal information of 2.7 million Pakistanis was stolen from the database of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), a joint investigation team confirmed.

In this connection, the JIT submitted its report to Ministry of Interior. The theft of data took place between 2019 and 2023, the report said.

Headed by Federal Investigation Agency official Syed Waqaruddin, the JIT comprised representatives of sensitive agencies and Nadra’s nominees.

The inquiry team has completed probe into the scandal of breach of Nadra’s database. The interior ministry is reviewing the contents of the report.

The data was theft from the Karachi, Multan and Peshawar offices of Nadra.

The JIT report has recommended action against the Nadra’s senior officials whose negligence led to the data theft.

The data stolen from Peshawar reached Dubai. The report claimed with proof that the data was later sold in Argentina and Romania.

The JIT was formed after a cyber security incident took place in March 2023.

Earlier, the issue of data security emerged when some information about military officials was leaked and the incident was highlighted in the media.