Personal data of 2.7 million Pakistanis stolen from Nadra record

A joint investigation team (JIT) shows the personal data of about 2.7 million Pakistanis has been stolen from the Nadra record. Nadra refers to the National Database and Registration Authority.

The JIT revealed the issue in a report provided to the Ministry of Interior. It shows that data theft occurred between 2019 and 2023. Syed Waqaruddin, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official, led the JIT. JIT also included the officials from sensitive agencies and Nadra nominees.

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According to media reports, the JIT has completed its investigation into the massive scandal of an alleged breach of Nadra’s database. The ministry officials are now analyzing the contents of this JIT report.

JIT investigation found that the personal data of 2.7 million Pakistanis was stolen from Nadra offices in Multan, Karachi, and Peshawar. It has also recommended action against the relevant top officials of the authority. Whose negligence resulted in this vast data theft.

According to the JIT report, stolen data was allegedly transferred from Multan via Peshawar before arriving in Dubai. The report also states that there is evidence that the stolen Nadra data was later sold in Argentina and Romania.

The JIT has also suggested technological upgrades and departmental and criminal procedures against anyone guilty of data theft.

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The government established the JIT following a cyber security incident in March 2023. Previously, the issue of data security came to light when the media covered information regarding a senior military officer’s data leak.

The vulnerability issue of Nadra’s data came up several times. However, it rose to prominence with the publication of an information breach regarding these senior military officers.

A National Assembly subcommittee received information on millions of Pakistani’s personal information hacking in November 2021. A top FIA official revealed before the subcommittee that they found certain biometric records of Nadra compromised.