The Sindh High Court (SHC) expressed strong displeasure with NADRA officials over the blocking of a retired employee’s national identity card, highlighting the agency's mishandling of citizens' records. During the hearing, Justice Amjad Ali Sahito criticized NADRA's performance, stating that citizens are suffering due to the authority's errors. "NADRA officials themselves tamper with people's records," he remarked.Justice Salahuddin Panhwar added that millions are affected by NADRA's mistakes, questioning the integrity of the organization’s processes. Justice Sahito further commented on the hardship faced by citizens, noting, "People are being forced to run from court to court.

Twelve lakh passports have been returned from Saudi Arabia—who is responsible for this? Directors and Assistant Directors at NADRA are involved in tampering with records. How can a person from another family be added to someone's family tree without the consent of NADRA officials?" The court ordered NADRA to review the records of petitioner Muhammad Hassan within 15 days. The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that Hassan, a retired railway employee, had his ID card blocked in 2021, and again in 2022. NADRA claims that six unknown individuals are listed in Hassan’s family tree, though he has no knowledge of them and has already submitted an affidavit. The lawyer pleaded with the court to unblock Hassan’s ID card, as his pension has been suspended due to the blockage.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan