On Tuesday, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) reported to the interior ministry on the leakage of citizens’ data by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Interior Ministry to investigate the data leak in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Military Intelligence (MI).
According to the report, 2.7 million Pakistanis’ data was compromised between 2019 and 2023, allegedly with the involvement of NADRA offices in Multan, Peshawar, and Karachi.
According to the JIT report, the compromised data was obtained from Multan to Peshawar, then routed to Dubai and allegedly sold in Argentina and Romania. The report recommended action against several senior NADRA officials involved in the data.
The joint investigation team, led by the FIA Director of Cybercrime, was formed to investigate the March 2023 cyberattack that compromised and stole sensitive personal data from citizens, including military personnel.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, the JIT presented its findings to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
The interim Prime Minister directed NADRA to take appropriate action based on the JIT’s findings and recommendations.
According to the report, proposed measures to protect citizens’ data include regulatory actions and technological upgrades. Furthermore, authorities have taken steps to ensure compliance with the Prime Minister’s directives.
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