Afghan nationals reportedly obtained Pakistani passports through collusion with officials.

3 NADRA Officers Held in Balochistan Over Major Fake Passport Racket

Three National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officers were arrested in Balochistan for their alleged involvement in a major fake passport racket targeting Afghan nationals. The arrested officials include Assistant Director Syed Anwar Shah, Junior Executive Syed Akhtar Shah, and Assistant Director for the Chaman Zone, Khawaja Waqas. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took the officers into custody under arrest warrants issued by Quetta’s Judicial Magistrate 7.

According to sources, Afghan nationals obtained Pakistani identity cards and passports after paying large sums of money. The Afghan Embassy in Saudi Arabia returned 12,096 Pakistani passports to the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh. Verification revealed that 7,613 of these passports had been unlawfully issued to foreign nationals through collusion between NADRA and immigration staff, raising concerns over Pakistan’s international credibility.

FIA officials noted that another NADRA officer, Ali Ahmad, had already been arrested for approving identity cards for 60 foreign nationals. The latest arrests follow the recovery of additional evidence during the ongoing investigation. Sources added that one of the newly arrested officers is also under a separate inquiry for allegedly selling citizens’ personal data.

How Corruption Undermines National Credibility

This case highlights the severe consequences of internal corruption within critical national institutions. The involvement of NADRA officers in issuing passports illegally not only violates Pakistani law but also compromises the country’s credibility on an international level. Such scams can have diplomatic repercussions, strain relations with other countries, and undermine public trust in government institutions. Experts argue that robust internal audits, digital tracking, and strict accountability measures are essential to prevent such breaches and safeguard national security.