The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested a former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) assistant director in Karachi on Saturday for allegedly helping an Iranian national obtain a Pakistani identity card.
An FIA spokesperson identified the suspect as Ziaul Haq Arain, who previously served as Assistant Director (Technical) at the Mega Siemens Chowrangi branch of NADRA. The Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) in Karachi arrested him after an investigation linked him to the processing of an identity card for Iranian national Mohammad Akbar.
The case began when immigration officials at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi stopped two passengers bound for Qatar who were travelling on Pakistani passports, over doubts about their nationality.
During questioning, both reportedly said they were Iranian citizens by birth and admitted paying money to obtain Pakistani identity documents illegally, according to the FIA. Further investigation established Arain’s alleged role in processing the identity card of one of the two passengers, which led to his arrest.
The FIA said interrogation of the suspect is continuing, and NADRA records and related documents are being verified. The agency is also pursuing other officials, agents and facilitators suspected of involvement in the illegal issuance of Pakistani identity documents, and said investigations will continue until all those linked to the alleged network are identified.
