Eight NADRA officials suspended following data theft scandal
Eight officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have reportedly been suspended following a data theft investigation. This action was taken based on the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) recommendation in the data theft case from last year.
The JIT report was released earlier this week.
Details reveal that disciplinary measures have been taken against more than a dozen NADRA officers, with eight being suspended and formally charged. The identities of these individuals remain undisclosed due to ongoing legal processes and concerns over data privacy.
The JIT earlier provided a report to the interior ministry outlining how the data of 2.7 million Pakistanis was illicitly accessed and stolen between 2019 and 2023 through NADRA offices in Multan,
Peshawar, and Karachi. Personal data of 2.7m Pakistani’s stolen from NADRA database
Data of 2.7 million Pakistanis was stolen between 2019 to 2023 with the help of National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) offices of Multan, Peshawar and Karachi.
A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) delivered a report on Tuesday to the interior ministry concerning the (NADRA) breach of citizens’ data.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) directed the Interior Ministry to investigate the data breach with the cooperation of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Military Intelligence. The JIT’S findings revealed that the data moved from Multan to Peshawar, then was transferred to Dubai, and eventually sold in Argentina and Romania.
The JIT urged disciplinary measures against certain highranking NADRA officials. The joint investigation team, led by the FIA Director of Cybercrime, was established to look into the March 2023 cyberattack, which compromised the personal details of citizens, including military personnel.
Following the investigation, the JIT reported its findings to then-interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
The acting prime minister directed NADRA to take necessary steps according to the JIT’S suggestions and findings.
Corrective measures
The report outlined proposed safeguards for citizens’ data, encompassing both regulatory and technological advancements.
In response to the Prime Minister’s directive, the authorities initiated compliance actions. Furthermore, the report highlighted that these initiatives would enhance emergency service delivery and bolster standard database security.