The Senate Standing Committee was briefed by the Ministry of Interior and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Monday regarding the steps taken by NADRA on data leaks and privacy concerns to enhance the data privacy of citizens.
The Ministry of Interior officials told the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, that steps have been taken to strengthen the security of Pakistan’s national data system after repeated complaints of data leaks and privacy concerns.
The representatives said Nadra’s database is now more secure than it was a year ago, under the supervision of the Nadra chairman, Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar.
NADRA officials briefed the committee on data security measures. The Chairperson expressed dissatisfaction over NADRA’s handling of data breaches.
The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior, informed that over 80 per cent of NADRA’s data has been secured through modern protocols and that foreign citizens have been removed from the database.
Concerns over data leaks
Senator Afnan Ullah Khan raised concerns over reports that sensitive information, including addresses and national identity card numbers, had been sold on the dark web in recent months. He said earlier investigations had resulted in the dismissal of 15 Nadra officers but questioned whether those steps were enough.
“Dismissing officials is not sufficient because the damage has already been done,” he said. Afnan Ullah Khan recommended an independent forensic audit of NADRA.
The committee has further decided to summon the Chairman of NADRA in the next meeting to brief the committee on the latest progress regarding data security.
Officials stressed that accurate records were essential, particularly to establish who is residing in Islamabad, where population data is used for planning and security purposes.
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