The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and interior ministry officials briefed Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology about data leak, anomalies in Pakistani family trees.
The meeting of the Senate body was held at the Parliament House, where the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad briefed members on the ongoing household survey via the Household App.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that fewer citizens are now providing data through self-enumeration. The “Door-to-Door” survey app will be launched soon. Officials from the Ministry of Interior highlighted that NADRA’s data is now more secure compared to a year ago, and the new NADRA chairman has added enhanced features.
Authorities revealed that previously, foreign nationals were included in Pakistani family trees, but after thorough scrutiny, up to 80% of such entries have been removed. Foreign nationals are now being removed from the database in Pakistan as well. Officials emphasised the importance of knowing who resides in Islamabad.
The data collected through self-enumeration is critical, as previously Pakistani citizens’ information was reportedly being sold on the dark web. Senator Afnanullah noted that past investigations into data leaks had resulted in 15 NADRA officers being dismissed; however, this action was insufficient to address the damage caused.
NADRA officials reassured the committee that their data is now more secure, with audits conducted by third parties to assess protection levels. The chairman of NADRA will provide a detailed briefing on data protection in the next committee meeting.
Separately, the meeting of Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Communications was held on Monday at the Parliament House. The meeting was presided over by the Convener, Senator Kamil Ali Agha. Senators Zamir Hussain Ghumro and Saifullah Abro also attended the meeting, said a press release.
The sub-committee observed with concern that despite assurance given in the last meeting, the CEO, National Highway Authority (NHA), and the Secretary, Ministry of Communications, failed to attend the meeting. The sub-committee expressed serious concern over the continuous and unjustified absence of the above officials.
Taking serious notice of the continuous absence of the Secretary, the sub-committee observed that such conduct amounts to a breach of privilege of the Committee and the House, as Standing Committees function as an extension of the Parliament. Therefore, the sub-committee decided to write a letter to the Prime Minister through the Chairman Senate regarding the misconduct and breach of privilege of the sub-committee along with the House by the Secretary, Ministry of Communications. The sub-committee further directed that the pending matter be finalized in the upcoming meeting to be held on 19th January, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan here on Monday to review matters related to Corruption, Cybercrime, Data Security, Internet Connectivity, and Digital Governance.
The committee was briefed on a Corruption case involving Rs. 1.5 crore monthly, wherein the Additional Director General Anti-Money, said a press release.
Laundering, FIA informed that an FIR has been registered and investigations were underway and apprised the committee that 13 officers of grades 16 to 19 had been convicted. Of these, three are on protective bail and two had been granted post-arrest bail. Only Rs. 15,00,00 had been recovered so far. The chairperson expressed concern over the delay in finalizing the case and sought a timeline, which the authorities failed to provide.
FIA officials informed that 271 officers were penalized during the last year, which comprises over 5.8 percent of the total FIA strength. Senator Pervaiz Rashid expressed concern over the performance of the FIA and stressed the need for timely preventive measures.
The committee was informed that while Call Centers were not illegal, many unregistered centers were involved in fraudulent activities. FIA stated that illegal Call Centers operate covertly, making it difficult to ascertain their exact number, but assured continued action against such operations.
NADRA officials briefed the committee on Data Security Measures. The Chairperson expressed dissatisfaction over NADRA’s handling of data breaches involving dignitaries. The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior, informed that over 80 percent of NADRA’s data has been secured through modern protocols and that aliens had been removed from the database.
Senator Afnan Ullah Khan recommended for conducting a third-party forensic audit of NADRA, and the committee further decided to summon the Chairman NADRA in the next meeting to brief the committee over the latest progress regarding data security.