FIA says Nadra officials among 4 arrested for allegedly producing fake documents for Afghan nationals

Karachi: The Federal Investigation Agency said on Wednesday that it had arrested four suspects, including officials of the National Database and Registration Authority, over allegations that they were involved in preparing fake documents for Afghan nationals.

In a statement, an FIA spokesperson identified the suspects as Nadra Assistant Director Imamul Haq, Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, Nadra watchman Junaid Ahmed and private agent Muhammad Umar Shah. The agency said the arrests were made in Karachi and that officials had seized important records and other evidence during the operation.

According to the FIA, preliminary findings suggest that the group was linked to the preparation of forged identity documents, manipulation of official records and other unlawful activity. The agency also said the scope of its inquiry had been widened and that more arrests and disclosures were expected as investigators continued their work.

The spokesperson further said initial evidence indicated possible links between the network and terrorist elements, though this claim was still under investigation. The FIA did not provide additional details on the nature of those alleged links in its statement.

The case has drawn attention because one of the suspects, Fayyaz Ahmed, had recently been reported missing. His family had approached police with an application seeking his recovery, and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had also raised concern, urging the Sindh government to speed up efforts to trace him.

The arrests come amid a broader crackdown on Afghan nationals living illegally in Pakistan. Millions of Afghans have lived in the country over the years, and repatriation efforts have intensified in recent months following a fresh order in June for the immediate arrest of undocumented Afghan nationals. Since then, deportation and return operations have gathered pace.

This is not the first time Nadra officials have faced such accusations. Earlier this month, the FIA arrested three Nadra officials in Chakwal over allegations that a Computerised National Identity Card had been issued to an Afghan national in jail. In April, another Nadra official was arrested in Karachi on similar allegations involving fake identity cards for Afghan nationals.

The report is based on a monitored public feed and reflects information released by the FIA in its statement.

Source: Dawn Home - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017505/fia-says-nadra-officials-among-4-arrested-for-allegedly-producing-fake-documents-for-afghan-nationals