Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a significant corruption case against former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) chairman Tariq Malik, along with 12 other senior officials, over alleged financial irregularities involving millions of dollars in the authority’s smart card project. The case follows a complaint filed by Transparency International, which raised concerns about questionable procurement practices and financial mismanagement related to the multibillion-rupee smart ID card initiative.
According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects, including the chief project officer and other senior NADRA officials, face allegations of serious violations of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) laws. The investigation suggests these breaches led to excessive and unjustified payments being made to a favored company during the smart card procurement process.
Authorities discovered that NADRA paid considerably higher prices than prevailing market rates for smart card procurement. The investigation indicates that the tendering process was manipulated on multiple occasions to benefit a specific vendor, resulting in substantial financial losses to the national exchequer. The irregularities uncovered reflect deliberate misrepresentation and abuse of authority by the involved officials.
Sources within FIA confirmed the case includes charges of criminal misconduct and corruption, detailing how procurement procedures were deliberately compromised to favor one contractor. This not only violated regulatory frameworks but also undermined the integrity of the smart ID card project, which is critical for Pakistan’s national identification system.
The smart card initiative, an essential component of Pakistan’s digitization efforts, is designed to enhance citizen identity verification and provide secure digital access to government and private services. However, the current investigation exposes how flaws in governance and oversight can jeopardize such vital projects.
FIA’s ongoing probe is expected to scrutinize all procurement documents, financial transactions, and internal communications to build a comprehensive case against the accused. This investigation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within public sector technology projects, especially those with large-scale financial implications.
The development sends a strong message about the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring that digitization efforts proceed with integrity and efficiency. NADRA remains a key institution in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, making it crucial to maintain trust in its operations.
This case highlights the challenges of maintaining regulatory compliance and ethical standards in large public sector technology deployments. As digital ID systems become increasingly important for governance and economic inclusion, safeguarding these projects against corruption remains a top priority.
FIA’s action against Tariq Malik and senior NADRA officers aims to hold accountable those responsible for financial mismanagement and to reinforce adherence to procurement laws that protect public resources. The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for future government digital initiatives and procurement transparency across Pakistan.
