The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a former NADRA registration centre in-charge in connection with the fraudulent issuance of Pakistani identity cards and passports to foreign nationals, after a scrutiny of passports submitted by Afghans in Saudi Arabia.
According to the FIR, Saudi authorities handed over 12,096 Pakistani ordinary passports submitted by Afghan nationals to the Afghan embassy in Riyadh, which forwarded them to the Pakistani embassy. Verification found that 7,613 of these passports had been obtained fraudulently by foreign nationals who first acquired Pakistani national identity cards.
The FIR alleges that NADRA and Immigration and Passports officials colluded in the process. It also cites unauthorised access to the sensitive information system of NADRA, bypassing and interference with the system, and violations of registration policy.
Fake family records and the support of verifiers were allegedly used to portray foreign nationals as Pakistani. Sources claimed that billions of rupees in bribes were paid to manipulate official records and create fake family trees.
The FIR was registered on October 14 at the FIA Counter Terrorism Circle, Quetta, under number 01/2026. NADRA had earlier filed formal complaints against the officials concerned, which led to the initiation of inquiry No. E-51/2025 on December 19, 2025.
The inquiry produced evidence against Munawar Ali, son of Muhammad Usman and a resident of Kali Ismail, Quetta. He previously served as in-charge of NADRA Registration Centre BLN-MRV-41 under the regional head office in Quetta. The FIR alleges he facilitated the approval, processing and issuance of identity cards for 31 foreign nationals with dishonest intent and for illegal financial gain.
Munawar Ali was arrested on October 14, 2026, and obtained on five-day physical remand on October 15. On October 20, the court approved a further six-day remand on the agency’s request.
The FIR invokes the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, the NADRA Ordinance 2000, the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, the Foreigners Act 1946 and various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. It states that the alleged conduct damaged Pakistan’s international reputation.
FIA sources said the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness. Investigators are examining irregularities in the national identity system, misuse of official records and the issuance of identity cards and passports, along with the roles of other officials and facilitators. Sub-Inspector Zahid Gul is the investigating officer.
