ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a major corruption case against former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) chairman *Tariq Malik and 12 other senior officials over alleged financial irregularities in the authority’s smart identity card project.
Alleged Misconduct in Multimillion-Dollar Smart Card Project
The case stems from a complaint submitted by Transparency International, which raised red flags over procurement procedures in the multibillion-rupee smart ID card initiative. The First Information Report (FIR)* alleges widespread violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
According to FIA investigators, the tendering process for smart card procurement was allegedly manipulated to favour a specific vendor. The agency claims this resulted in excessive payments, far exceeding standard market prices, leading to substantial losses to the public treasury.
Charges: Misuse of Authority and Procurement Violations
The suspects include NADRA’s Chief Project Officer and other senior figures linked to the procurement process. The charges outlined in the case include criminal misconduct, abuse of authority, and intentional misrepresentation in official processe.
Sources within the FIA indicated that the accused officials are believed to have altered procurement conditions multiple times to ensure the selection of a pre-determined company. This alleged practice violates transparency requirements and procurement laws, contributing to what the FIA describes as a *serious breach of public trust*.
Ongoing Investigation
The FIA has launched a comprehensive inquiry and is expected to summon the accused for questioning. Officials stated that further arrests or legal actions may follow based on the outcome of forensic audits and evidence collection.
