Tag: NADRA

  • Azaz Syed asks NADRA Chief about dual role; General Munir Afsar gives vague answer

    Azaz Syed asks NADRA Chief about dual role; General Munir Afsar gives vague answer

    Veteran journalist Azaz Syed, known for his candid and probing questions, has asked the serving Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Lieutenant General Munir Afsar a question about his appointment, termed illegal by many legal experts. 


    On Tuesday, the journalist was present in Parliament House where he asked Lieutenant General Munir Afsar about his alleged illegal appointment as Chairman of NADRA during the interim government, to which the General replied, “It’s a sub judice case; contact Lahore High Court for clarification.” 

    Responding to the journalist’s question about serving two posts simultaneously, one as Chairman of NADRA and the second as a serving army officer, Munir Afsar substantiated it by saying: “The founding Chairman of NADRA was also serving.”

    Chairman NADRA seemed to have mostly dodged the journalist’s questions in the video Azaz filmed. 

    Lieutenant General Munir Afsar was appointed as the NADRA Chairman on October 2, 2023, during the interim government, following the retirement of the then-serving Chairman of NADRA, Tariq Malik.

    Ashba Kamran, a citizen, had approached the Lahore High Court about the appointment of an in-service army officer as chairman of NADRA by maintaining that the appointment was “in violation of the provisions of NADRA Ordinance, 2000.”

    She asserted that the caretaker government is not mandated to call decisions on permanent policy matters and urged the court to remove Munir Afsar as NADRA Chairman.

    Citing the unofficial approach of the caretaker government and the lack of qualifications evaluation over appointment, Justice Asim Hafeez declared the appointment of Munir Afsar as Chairman of NADRA “unauthorised” and in violation of NADRA’s rules.

    “Lest anyone misunderstand this, we make it clear that the appointment to any post under the government can only be made after a proper advertisement has been made, inviting applications from eligible candidates,” the order of the verdict said.

    However, the federal government challenged the ruling of Justice Asim Hafeez.

    Lahore High Court division bench, on September 11, 2023, overturned the single bench decision and restored the position of Munir Afsar as NADRA Chairman.


    When asked about the alleged illegal appointment of Munib Cheema, Munir Afsar stated: “You should ask the Auditor General (AG)” about the appointment, noting, “I hadn’t made an appointment.”

  • NADRA’s appeal against restoration of Hafiz Hamdullah’s identity card scheduled for hearing

    NADRA’s appeal against restoration of Hafiz Hamdullah’s identity card scheduled for hearing

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has scheduled the hearing of NADRA’s appeal against the restoration of the identity card of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Hafiz Hamdullah.

    A two-member bench headed by Justice Muneeb Akhtar of the Supreme Court will hear the case on July 10.

    NADRA had cancelled the identity card on grounds of Hamdullah being a foreigner.

    The Islamabad High Court declared the cancellation of Hafiz Hamdullah’s identity card null and void and ordered its restoration.

    NADRA has now filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Islamabad High Court.

  • Your mobile SIM will be blocked if registered on invalid CNIC

    Your mobile SIM will be blocked if registered on invalid CNIC

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) to block all phone SIMs that are registered on an invalid or expired identity card.

    The security czar visited the NADRA headquarters on Thursday in Islamabad and directed authorities to establish NADRA offices all over Pakistan, just as the model police stations were established in Punjab.

    He also stated that by establishing model NADRA offices, service delivery will be enhanced.

  • NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    NADRA official ‘kidnapped’ in Islamabad

    Islamabad police are currently looking into the reported abduction of Najeebullah, Deputy Assistant Director at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    Asadullah Khan, a resident of Islamabad, lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Ramna police on January 31, stating that his brother left for duty at 9 pm on January 30, and has not returned since.

    According to the FIR, Najeebullah contacted his family the following morning via WhatsApp, stating that he was en route to Peshawar and assured them of his imminent return. Asadullah, however, noted a distressed tone in his brother’s voice and expressed concern as Najeebullah reportedly had no acquaintances in Peshawar.

    Subsequent communication with Najeebullah intensified the concerns, as he conveyed suspicions of being held against his will. The family is now apprehensive that his disappearance may be linked to an ongoing case.

    According to sources of Hum News, NADRA is cracking down on foreign nationals illegally residing in Pakistan who have managed to obtain fake national identity cards.

    During a meeting held at the Ministry of Interior, it was revealed that a significant number of non-residents managed to acquire properties worth billions using fake Pakistani identity cards.

    A senior police officer shared that an investigation is underway after taking footage from Safe City security cameras.

    A NADRA spokesperson stated that they were monitoring the situation closely and were in contact with the officer’s family.

  • NADRA WhatsApp channel to provide accurate information to citizens

    NADRA WhatsApp channel to provide accurate information to citizens

    The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched a WhatsApp channel to provide updated and factual information to citizens.

    The aim is to counter the spread of misinformation and to prompt trust between the government authority and citizens.

    According to a NADRA spokesperson, the launch of the WhatsApp channel for public service organisations is a modern initiative with, “Real-time messaging capabilities enable NADRA to swiftly communicate updates and guidance to citizens.”

    Spokesman NADRA also said that all possible efforts will be made to provide timely and immediate information.

    You can access Nadra’s WhatsApp using this link: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaH7JG2I1rckS9XnTg23

  • Transgender persons set to contest elections 2024

    Transgender persons set to contest elections 2024

    Nayyab Ali, a transgender person from the federal capital city of Islamabad, and Sobia Khan, a transgender individual from Peshawar, are all set to contest in the upcoming general elections.

    Nayyab Ali, a resident of the federal capital city of Islamabad, has submitted nomination papers to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to contest the upcoming general elections from National Assembly Constituency 47. Nayab is the second transgender individual to submit nomination papers for the 2024 elections so far.

    Nayyab took to X (former Twitter) and worte, “Just arrived at the returning office to submit my nomination papers for NA46 & NA47 as a candidate for the National Assembly. Proud to represent the trans community as the sole candidate thus far. Grateful for the warm welcome from the community!”

    Her supporter were chnting, “Aap ka na Janaab Ka, Vote Hai Nayyab ka.”

    Peshawar native Sobia Khan, has filed nomination papers for a provincial assembly seat in constituency PK-81. The upcoming polls are scheduled to be held on February 8 next year.

    Sobia Khan was also the first transgender person to be elected as a jirga member of the Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) in March 2021.

    Running as an independent candidate, Sobia Khan aims to be a voice for the transgender community, women, and children, advocating for their rights if she secures victory in the elections. With a Bachelor’s degree to her name, Sobia holds the distinction of being the first transgender radio jockey in the province.

    She said that not only her family but also the people of the area are supporting her. Sobia said that she would request NGOs and social welfare to support her election campaign.

    She will also ask the district administration to provide security to her during this time as it has happened for the first time that a transgender is directly participating in the elections.

    Sobia Khan said that she will conduct a door-to-door election campaign in the area and will also meet the women of the area to support her. She also praised Assistant Commissioner Syed Ahsan Ali Shah who encouraged her a lot while submitting nomination papers.

    Sobia Khan said that because there was no separate seat for transgenders, she submitted the papers for the general seat. It should be remembered that Sobia Khan belongs to Peshawar district. She holds a BA and also holds the distinction of being the first transgender broadcaster of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The general elections are set for February 8 next year across the country, following the Supreme Court’s directives.

    It is pertinent to mention that in the 2018 elections, Maria, the lone transgender candidate from KP, secured 536 votes as an independent candidate, surpassing the votes of many women candidates.

  • PECA law enforced in passport offices

    PECA law enforced in passport offices

    The federal government has taken an important step to stop issuance of illegal passports and theft of sensitive data.

    According to the sources, reported by Geo News, PECA law has been implemented to permanently block access to Pakistani passports for foreigners including Afghans.

    The Federal Cabinet has implemented the Anti-Electronic Crimes Act on six sections of passport offices.

    Sources elaborated that entry into important offices in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi has been made inaccessible except for certain officers and employees with security clearance — all to prevent data theft of sensitive information, passports, visas, theft of citizenship and applicant data.

    Approval has been taken from the caretaker federal Cabinet through a circular on the summary of the Ministry of Interior.

  • Pakistan forms new body led my three-star military general to expand tax base

    Pakistan forms new body led my three-star military general to expand tax base

    The government has established a new committee, led by a three-star military general, to oversee data integration efforts aimed at expanding the tax base.

    This move precedes the imminent arrival of a technical mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), tasked with assessing Pakistan’s tax system.

    Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), will head the technical committee, as notified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The newly formed committee will devise proposals for data integration to expand the tax base and formulate an IT infrastructure transformation plan.

    The eight-member committee, consisting of three senior FBR members, has been tasked with crafting a comprehensive plan for data integration. Their primary objective is to significantly increase the number of income tax return filers, aiming to elevate last year’s count of 4.9 million to 6.5 million within the next eight months, as outlined in an official notification.

    As reported by Express Tribune, Pakistan has shared an FBR restructuring plan with the IMF, outlining the integration of 145 entities into the FBR network to expand the tax base. However, the Prime Minister has withheld approval, instructing further refinement to address ambiguities and contradictions in the proposed restructuring plan.

    This strategic initiative aligns with the impending visit of an IMF technical mission to Pakistan, scheduled to commence next week.

    The mission will conduct a thorough review of the country’s tax laws and FBR’s administrative structure, ultimately delivering recommendations within two months. These suggestions may serve as a foundation for the upcoming IMF program.

  • FBR restructuring: Govt plans to separate Customs and revenue collection system

    FBR restructuring: Govt plans to separate Customs and revenue collection system

    Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar has announced that the government is implementing significant restructuring measures within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to eliminate apparent conflicts of interest in tax collection and enhance overall performance. 

    Speaking at the Future Summit organised by the Nutshell Group, she outlined the action plan for restructuring Pakistan’s tax administration, emphasising the crucial aspect of strengthening the internal governance of the FBR. 

    One notable decision involves separating customs from the revenue collection mechanism. Customs will focus on tracking smuggling and related activities, while revenue collection will remain the exclusive mandate of the FBR. 

    Akhtar noted that a formal notification for this change will be issued next week, with additional notifications expected for further FBR restructuring initiatives. 

    Discussing FBR reforms, Akhtar highlighted the adoption of innovative digital technologies to broaden the tax base, minimise the tax policy and compliance gap, and increase tax collection. 

    The government aims to reduce the share of the shadow economy by more effectively identifying non-filers and those under-reporting incomes or business activities. 

    Furthermore, Akhtar revealed plans to separate the tax policy and revenue division, making it an independent entity reporting directly to the Minister of Finance. 

    According to Brecorder, this move aims to eliminate perceived conflicts of interest in tax collection, emphasising the need for fair, equitable, and productive tax policy design. 

    Collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is also underway to upgrade data systems, with a technical committee chaired by NADRA and FBR chairpersons established for this purpose. 

    The overall objective is comprehensive tax administrative reforms and increased efficiency in revenue collection. 

  • Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    The interior ministry has constituted a five-member committee to extensively probe cases pertaining to the issuance of over 12,000 fake passports to Afghan nationals.

    The ministry issued a notification stating that the Director General of Immigration and Passports (IMPASS) will be the convener, whereas Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) deputy secretary, a representative of National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and assistant director of IMPASS headquarters will be members of the committee. 

    The committee will investigate lapses in the issuance of passports, determining the connivance of various institutions to facilitate the departure of fake passport holders from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, to determine the responsibility of various officers in NADRA, IMPASS and FIA in the process and suggest remedial measures to curb the menace in the future.

    The report is expected to be submitted to authorities within 15 days.

    On October 14, 12,000 fake Pakistani passports were retrieved from Afghan nationals in Saudi Arabia.

    The law enforcement agencies initiate a crackdown against people and groups involved in the issuance of fake citizen documents to illegal immigrants.

    The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh was informed of the passports by Saudi authorities.