Achi news desk-
Eight officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have been suspended as action begins in a data theft case on the recommendation of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
As per the details, disciplinary action has been initiated against over a dozen NADRA officials and eight were suspended and charged.
However, the names of individuals have not been shared due to court cases and data privacy.
Earlier, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) submitted a report to the home ministry regarding the leak of citizens’ data by NADRA.
The report revealed that data of 27 million Pakistanis were stolen between 2019 and 2023 with the help of Nadra offices in Multan, Peshawar and Karachi.
According to the JIT report, data was sourced from Multan to Peshawar and then to Dubai, and was also sold in Argentina and Romania.
The report recommended action against several senior Nadra officials.
The joint investigation team, led by the FIA’s Director of Cybercrime, was formed to investigate the March 2023 cyber attack, where the personal information of citizens, including military officers, was accessed and stolen.
The JIT submitted its report to the caretaker at the time, Chief Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, after completing the investigation. The chief caretaker ordered NADRA to initiate action as per the findings and recommendations.
In the report, the proposed measures, to protect citizens’ data, include regulatory measures along with technology upgrades. In the meantime, the authorities have launched compliance measures following the Prime Minister’s orders.
The report said the measures will enable better provision of emergency services and help ensure standard database security.
