NADRA Official Arrested in Massive Passport Fraud Scandal Linked to Afghan Nationals

ISLAMABAD (Investigation Talat Shah) In a shocking breach of national security, Pakistani authorities have arrested Anwarul Haq, a Deputy Assistant Director at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), for his alleged role in facilitating Afghan nationals to fraudulently obtain Pakistani passports. Haq, who oversaw the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) desk at NADRA headquarters, is accused of manually overriding biometric checks to approve fingerprints of Afghan citizens, enabling them to assume Pakistani identities and procure passports illegally . 

According to investigative sources, Haq exploited his position to manually clear biometric data for Afghan applicants, bypassing NADRA’s stringent verification protocols. This allowed Afghan citizens to replace their biometric records with those of Pakistani citizens, effectively cloning identities. Moreover, approximately 12,000 Afghans were previously caught using fake Pakistani documents in the past five years . 

The scandal underscores systemic vulnerabilities within NADRA, which has faced criticism for data tampering in recent years. A Senate committee previously revealed that 6,000 fake passports were issued through manipulated NADRA records, with officials admitting disciplinary action against 35 Assistant Directors . 

This case highlights Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with identity fraud and its ripple effects on global mobility. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have tightened visa restrictions for Pakistani citizens due to rampant document forgery, directly impacting legitimate travelers . The scandal also intersects with Pakistan’s intensified deportation drive targeting Afghan migrants, including those holding legal documentation such as Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs) . 

The arrest comes amid heightened security tensions. Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused Afghan nationals of involvement in terrorism, including recent suicide bombings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa . While the Taliban government in Kabul denies these claims, the misuse of Pakistani identities by foreigners has further strained bilateral relations.

NADRA Chairman Lt. Gen. Munir Afsar vowed accountability, stating, “Any breach of trust within our systems will be met with zero tolerance.” The agency is conducting an internal audit to identify additional loopholes and has pledged stricter oversight of biometric processes . 

This scandal exposes critical flaws in Pakistan’s identity management infrastructure, raising urgent questions about data integrity and border security. As the government accelerates its repatriation of Afghan nationals, the case of Anwarul Haq serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by institutional corruption and the need for comprehensive reforms.