ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a high-profile corruption case against former NADRA chairman Tariq Malik and 12 senior officials, accusing them of financial irregularities involving millions of dollars in the authority’s smart ID card project.
The case was initiated after Transparency International submitted a complaint highlighting serious concerns about procurement irregularities and financial mismanagement in the multibillion-rupee initiative.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused, including the project’s chief officer and other top executives, allegedly violated Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. The FIA claims these violations enabled unjustified and excessive payments to a favoured vendor, resulting in a significant loss to the national exchequer.
Investigators found that NADRA procured smart ID cards at prices far above prevailing market rates, and suspect that the tendering process was manipulated repeatedly to benefit a particular company.
FIA sources stated that the charges include criminal misconduct, abuse of authority, and intentional misrepresentation in official procedures. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are reviewing evidence related to procurement contracts and financial transactions linked to the project.
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