HYDERABAD: An official of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and his associate were caught red handed in possession of personal information of Pakistani citizens obtained by making illegal access to Nadra records on Tuesday.

National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested the two suspects and registered a case under section 3, 4, 6, 14,16 of Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 read with section 34 and 109 of PPC on a complaint lodged by Syed Babar Ali Shah, ASI of NCCIA.

According to the FIR, an enquiry was launched at NCCIA Crime Reporting Centre Hyderabad on the basis of a report that the two suspects identified as Nadra official Abdul Hakeem and Mohsin Iqbal were involved in unauthorised access to critical data of Nadra and selling it to different WhatsApp groups.

A source told NCCIA officials that both the individuals planned to meet near a restaurant at the bypass on June 23 and their mobile phones contained evidence of data obtained through illegal access to Nadra records and its sale.

The FIR said that NCCIA Inspector Malik Awais went to individuals who were standing near the restaurant, introduced himself to them and took them into custody.

Inspector Awais, who was investigating officer of the FIR, said that alleged chat and sharing of critical data of Nadra was found in both mobiles.

Both the individuals failed to justify their position and possession of critical data of Nadra. Their mobile phones were taken into custody and the accused were brought to NCCIA Hyderabad.

Their cell phones were handed over to technical assistant, Tahir Ahmed, he said.

The analysis of the data showed that Abdul Hakeem was employee of Nadra as reflected from his employee card. Mohsin Iqbal used to send CNIC numbers to Abdul Hakeem, who would then provide his related data.

As per analysis of the report both the individuals were members of different WhatsApp groups involved in selling Nadra data.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025