Pakistan probes '$100 ID cards for militants' scam

[Devil Soul]

Pakistan probes '$100 ID cards for militants' scam
By AFP
Published: August 20, 2015
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DESIGN: SUNARA NIZAMI

Authorities are investigating officials at the national identity database agency for allegedly issuing ID cards to militants, including some linked to al Qaeda, in return for bribes as small as US$100.

The country’s main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), uncovered the alleged corrupt practices at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) during ongoing anti-terrorism operations, according to official documents. “It has been found that many NADRA officials are involved in facilitating miscreants and terrorists in obtaining fake identity,” said ISI correspondence seen by AFP.

Read: Revealed: ‘NADRA men helped terrorists get Pakistani identity cards’

Adnan El Shukrijumah, a senior al Qaeda leader wanted by the US over a 2009 plot to attack the New York subway system, was among those who obtained a Pakistani ID card by bribing officials, the documents said.

Shukrijumah, who was born in Saudi Arabia and spent some years in the United States, was killed in December 2014 during a Pakistan army operation in South Waziristan tribal area close to Afghanistan. He was described by the FBI as “one of the leaders of al Qaeda’s external operations programme” and had a US$5 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.

’50,000 fake ID cards’

The ISI investigation also found that three Uzbek nationals who were arrested in Qatar for robbing a bank also carried Pakistani identity papers.

Several dozen Chinese nationals and Maldivians were also issued Pakistani ID cards, with NADRA officials taking bribes of Rs10,000 to Rs20,000 rupees in return.

The intelligence probe has named about 40 NADRA officials involved in issuing the fake paperwork in Karachi, including a retired army brigadier and a retired colonel.

Read: Illegal immigrants: FIA arrests NADRA official for registering ‘aliens’

Sources said that NADRA offices in other cities had also issued ID cards corruptly, including Lahore, in the east, and Dera Ismail Khan, which is close to the tribal areas on the Afghan border and has long had a reputation as a staging post for militants.

Foreign militants flocked to Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas in the wake of the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan to take part in the war against American forces across the border.

Corruption is rampant in Pakistan, with backhanders regularly paid to officials of all ranks to grease the wheels of bureaucracy.

But the computerised ID system introduced several years ago was supposed to be a key plank in the fight against terrorism and make it easier to catch foreign fighters, so the cards for cash scam represents a major security breach.

Read: NADRA inaugurates online CNIC issuance, renewal facility

In its own investigation into the racket, the Federal Investigation Agency found more than 50,000 national identity cards had been issued to illegal immigrants, most of them Afghans.

Last year, Pakistan launched a major crackdown on militants after suffering more than a decade of bomb and gun attacks by homegrown Islamist extremists.

A military offensive against Taliban and al Qaeda hideouts in the northwest has been accompanied by what the authorities have called “intelligence-led” operations in cities around the country.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Was waiting for this.

In its own investigation into the racket, the Federal Investigation Agency found more than 50,000 national identity cards had been issued to illegal immigrants, most of them Afghans.

This figure is seriously wrong!!!

 

[Viny]

What a dirty cover up plan.
Agree that there are chance of pilferage and some corrupt officers allocating the fake cards.
But this cannot hide that many of the terrorists are regular pakistani citizens who have been brainwashed and directed to a path which world recognize as terrorism.

Poor Afgans are going to try what ever measure available for them to have a settled peaceful life, way out is getting local identity card, which will allow them to settle, do business legally and ensure better future for there kids.

 

[Indus Falcon]

What a dirty cover up plan.
Agree that there are chance of pilferage and some corrupt officers allocating the fake cards.
But this cannot hide that many of the terrorists are regular pakistani citizens who have been brainwashed and directed to a path which world recognize as terrorism.

Poor Afgans are going to try what ever measure available for them to have a settled peaceful life, way out is getting local identity card, which will allow them to settle, do business legally and ensure better future for there kids.

Since you care so much about the Afghans, why don't you adopt the 4+ million Afghanis in Pakistan?

 

[Viny]

Since you care so much about the Afghans, why don't you adopt the 4+ million Afghanis in Pakistan?

Brother, adversaries are globally and if you cannot support a fellow human being, then be prepared for similar situation.

And you forced Afgans to become refugees, it was not there wish.

 

[WishLivePak]

Brother, adversaries are globally and if you cannot support a fellow human being, then be prepared for similar situation.

And you forced Afgans to become refugees, it was not there wish.

Yeah we asked the soviets to invade USSR. Wait, wasn't USSR your buddy?

 

[Indus Falcon]

Brother, adversaries are globally and if you cannot support a fellow human being, then be prepared for similar situation.

And you forced Afgans to become refugees, it was not there wish.

We didn't ask the USSR (your master) to invade Afghanistan.

You people declare yourselves to be the champion of Afghani rights, you even built 5 diplomatic missions in a tiny country like Afghanistan. We all know why, Nonetheless it is in stark contrast to the UAE, where you have 2.6+ million Indians but only 2 diplomatic missions!!

So why don't you put your money where your mouth is, and adopt all 4+ million of them living in Pakistan. We have hosted them for 30+years, how about you do the same?

Yeah we asked the soviets to invade USSR. Wait, wasn't USSR your buddy?

Buddy is the wrong word. Master, is more like it!

 

[That Guy]

A

Brother, adversaries are globally and if you cannot support a fellow human being, then be prepared for similar situation.

And you forced Afgans to become refugees, it was not there wish.

Afghans forced themselves to be refugees. They started hostilities against Pakistan, not the other way around. Despite their hatred, Pakistan still sheltered and protected them.

 

[Viny]

Yeah we asked the soviets to invade USSR. Wait, wasn't USSR your buddy?

So why did you put your long tounge in nieghbours matter. Now you say its a sour one.

We didn't ask the USSR (your master) to invade Afghanistan.

You people declare yourselves to be the champion of Afghani rights, you even built 5 diplomatic missions in a tiny country like Afghanistan. We all know why, Nonetheless it is in stark contrast to the UAE, where you have 2.6+ million Indians but only 2 diplomatic missions!!

So why don't you put your money where your mouth is, and adopt all 4+ million of them living in Pakistan. We have hosted them for 30+years, how about you do the same?


Buddy is the wrong word. Master, is more like it!

Unlike you, atleast we are wokring to ensure the Afgans live happily in there on native land.
And we are doing our share of helping at regional level, we have our share of refugees.

A
Afghans forced themselves to be refugees. They started hostilities against Pakistan, not the other way around. Despite their hatred, Pakistan still sheltered and protected them.

You sound like Afgans are on Jihad against pakistanis, hence they crossed the border, came in, staying as refugee and doing damage to pakistan.

Time to read authentic history books or else read global version of the issue to figure out what went wrong.

 

[Al Bhatti]

Since you care so much about the Afghans, why don't you adopt the 4+ million Afghanis in Pakistan?

They go to India without their weapon culture, pay for the medical treatment and are all praise for the Indian doctors. See below.:

I have heard Afghans say that for them there is Khuda (pointing up) and then there is the Indian doctor (pointing a little lower).

Whereas in Pakistan they bring in their immediate family members, then close relatives and then distant relatives and live in Pakistan as if it is their country get free full medical treatment (i personally know cases), and in the end bad mouth about Pakistan.

This has been happening since decades.

 

[That Guy]

You sound like Afgans are on Jihad against pakistanis, hence they crossed the border, came in, staying as refugee and doing damage to pakistan.

Time to read authentic history books or else read global version of the issue to figure out what went wrong.

Ironically, Afghani religious leader actually did just declare a so called jihad against Pakistan a few days ago, but that's besides the point.

I have read authentic history, not your version of what you consider it to be.

This didn't start during the soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it started when Pakistan was born, and Afghanistan refused to recognize Pakistan. It continued when (in the 50s and 60s) Afghanistan pushed for a separatist "Pashtunistan" movement in Pakistan, it got worse when they launched two military campaigns against Pakistan, and lost both times. It continued to worsen when Afghanistan invited the soviets into the region and then created the Balochi insurgency, with the USSR's help.

The fact that the Afghans continue to reject the international line, and attack Pakistan's efforts to secure the border, proves that Afghanistan is a worthless and aggressive state.

You want to talk about history, learn it first, before mouthing off.

 

[Indus Falcon]

Unlike you, atleast we are wokring to ensure the Afgans live happily in there on native land.
And we are doing our share of helping at regional level, we have our share of refugees.

.

Sure you are!! Like I said, put your money where you mouth is "adopt the 4+million Afghanis only for 30 years" and then come to this forum and preach!!

 

[Arsalan]

And you forced Afgans to become refugees, it was not there wish.

I understand the strong urge you feel to bash Pakistan for anything and everything including pigeons but at least try to be a bit reasonable. Why make yourself la laughing stock mate?

WE NEVER ASKED THE USSR TO INVADE AFGHANISTAN AND DESTROY THERE COUNTRY . The refugee came because of the havoc created by the Russian invasion.

Tora hosh kro bahi!

 

[Viny]

The fact that the Afghans continue to reject the international line, and attack Pakistan's efforts to secure the border, proves that Afghanistan is a worthless and aggressive state.

We feel the same for you when you attack our borders. Having said that, its your mistake or failure that you didnt solved the border issues with them over talks ambically. Many country has border issues, it doenst mean the other country becomes refugee in. How many refugees did you had prior to afgan war and how many did you got after your moral intervention.

Sure you are!! Like I said, put your money where you mouth is "adopt the 4+million Afghanis only for 30 years" and then come to this forum and preach!!

We are doing our job in there country to best of our capabilities, what are you doing, neither giving them a dignified life in your country nor helping them to get settled in there own country.

I understand the strong urge you feel to bash Pakistan for anything and everything including pigeons but at least try to be a bit reasonable. Why make yourself la laughing stock mate?

WE NEVER ASKED THE USSR TO INVADE AFGHANISTAN AND DESTROY THERE COUNTRY . The refugee came because of the havoc created by the Russian invasion.

Tora hosh kro bahi!

Bhai, why do you think there is an urge to bash Pakistan? Phele hi pakistan ki itni buri tarah lagi hui hai..

You never asked USSR to invade, but your method of mendling issue in Afganishtan and the tools that you selected where wrong and thus as result a country which should have been friendly country has turned into hard neighbour.

Its always good check mistakes to find solutions rather than turning away from it.

 

[Menace2Society]

Ironically, Afghani religious leader actually did just declare a so called jihad against Pakistan a few days ago, but that's besides the point.

I have read authentic history, not your version of what you consider it to be.

This didn't start during the soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it started when Pakistan was born, and Afghanistan refused to recognize Pakistan. It continued when (in the 50s and 60s) Afghanistan pushed for a separatist "Pashtunistan" movement in Pakistan, it got worse when they launched two military campaigns against Pakistan, and lost both times. It continued to worsen when Afghanistan invited the soviets into the region and then created the Balochi insurgency, with the USSR's help.

The fact that the Afghans continue to reject the international line, and attack Pakistan's efforts to secure the border, proves that Afghanistan is a worthless and aggressive state.

You want to talk about history, learn it first, before mouthing off.

I have a perfect solution.

Set up cannons on the LOC with India.

Fire Afghan refugees at India so they can have their beloveds back.