FIA lodges case against ex-NADRA chief over corruption

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has lodged a case against ex-National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) chief Tariq Malik for suspected financial malpractices and corruption amounting to $25 million.

Details say that the case was filed against former NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik, former Chief Project Director Gohar Ahmed Khan, and 11 other officials.

The move was made on the Interior Ministry‘s instructions after a Transparency International report exposed glaring discrepancies in the procurement process.

The accused officials are said to have broken Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, taken kickbacks and commissions, and resulted in huge losses for the national treasury.

FIA officials said that the Chief Project Officer, as well as a number of other officials, have also been booked in the case. Charges filed against them include corruption, abuse of authority, and criminal breach of trust.

NADRA bought smart cards at exorbitant rates—while the market rate was 3 cents per card, NADRA bought them at 99 cents each—according to the FIA.

In 2020, the cost per card was 68 cents, and it jumped to 99 cents in 2022 without any good reason.

The agency also uncovered that tendering processes were intentionally modified to benefit a particular company. Investigations continue, and additional NADRA officials are likely to be involved as more exposés of multi-billion-rupee corruption are anticipated.