In a concerning development and a significant breach of data security, a joint investigation team has confirmed that the personal information of 2.7 million Pakistanis was compromised from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) database. This report was relayed by Geo News on Tuesday, citing insider sources.
The investigation team, led by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official Syed Waqaruddin, uncovered this scandal in a report submitted to the Ministry of Interior. The breach occurred between 2019 and 2023.
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Comprised of representatives from sensitive agencies and Nadra, the JIT completed its investigation into the alleged breach. The ministry officials are currently reviewing the findings compiled by the panel.
According to sources, the JIT report pinpointed that the data theft occurred at Nadra offices in Multan, Karachi, and Peshawar. It has recommended taking action against senior officials of Nadra for their negligence, which facilitated this extensive data breach.
The stolen data was reportedly transferred from Multan to Peshawar before eventually ending up in Dubai. Furthermore, the JIT report suggests evidence indicating that the stolen Nadra data was later sold in Argentina and Romania.
The government initiated the formation of the JIT following a cybersecurity incident in March 2023. The issue of data security first came to public attention when information about senior military officials was leaked, garnering media attention.
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