NADRA launches automatic blocking of fake CNICs in nationwide crackdown
Authorities have detected more than 250,000 forged Pakistani national identity cards (CNICs), most of which were found to be in possession of Afghan nationals, officials revealed on Wednesday. The discovery came through a special verification software developed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to identify fraudulent entries in family records.
Sources said the advanced system analyses family structures and detects inconsistencies in genealogical data, flagging suspicious identity cards. Investigations revealed that numerous Afghan nationals had been illegally added to family trees of Pakistani citizens, particularly in Pishin, Chaman, and Quetta.
Officials disclosed that local agents facilitated these additions in exchange for large sums of money, often without the knowledge of the actual Pakistani families whose data was manipulated.
NADRA has now begun automatically blocking the forged identity cards identified by the system. Cardholders whose CNICs have been blocked have been instructed to visit NADRA offices for verification. Those failing to do so within the stipulated time will have their cards permanently cancelled, the sources said.
Islamabad police arrest 69 illegal Afghan residents in search operation
In a related development, Islamabad Police arrested 69 Afghan nationals residing illegally in the capital during a large-scale search and combing operation led by SSP Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan.
The operation, conducted in the Sabzi Mandi area, involved screening 221 individuals, 65 shops, 43 motorcycles, and 31 vehicles. Police said the move was part of an ongoing effort to curb criminal activity and identify undocumented foreign residents.
Inspector General of Police Islamabad has instructed officials to carry out similar district-wide operations to dismantle criminal networks and trace illegal immigrants living across the federal capital.
