Over 53,000 non-nationals found possessing dubious Pakistani CNICs

PESHAWAR: An investigation conducted by the Interior Ministry revealed that over 53,000 non-nationals have obtained illegal Pakistani Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).

According to the investigation, over 53,000 illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan had been issued CNICs, and of them, 349 had acquired Benami property and businesses in the country.

The investigation revealed that over 595 vehicles had been registered on these cards and there were 349 Benami property holders and business owners, whose cases were now being investigated.

It was learnt that cases of over 7,000 such cardholders were being investigated while the SIM cards of such people had been blocked.

Similarly, the Interior Ministry has completed scrutiny in 2343 suspicious bank accounts of Afghans residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

A compressive plan was afoot that such card holders would be deported to their respective countries including Tajiks and Afghans as well.

The government is also mulling a plan to repatriate Afghan students studying in seminaries in Pakistan.

The government has decided to expedite the repatriation process of Afghans and other foreigners residing in Pakistan illegally.

It may be mentioned that National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had recently concluded a joint internal investigation into the illegal issuance of CNICs to non-nationals by its employees. An internal review revealed the involvement of five individuals in the illegal processing of identity documents.

The details were compiled and forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle for legal action.

Following reports of unauthorized issuance of national identity cards to non-nationals, NADRA’s administration undertook a thorough analysis of its systems and operational protocols.

Through a forensic audit of NADRA’s databases, conducted within a well-structured framework, it became evident that five employees of different ranks were complicit in facilitating the issuance of identity cards to non-nationals.

Following an internal inquiry, NADRA transferred the case to the FIA accompanied by the relevant records to ensure swift and effective legal proceedings.