Nadra weeding out corrupt in a big way

ISLAMABAD: National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has hit a century of sacking employees over issuance of Pakistan Identity Cards to Afghan nationals and incidents of massive corruption.
In the recent drive against rotten eggs in the authority, dozens of officers and technical staff and data entry operators have been shown the door while many cases of corruption have been referred to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
“We have so far sacked 100 employees of Nadra on account of corruption”, a well-placed sources said.
The sources confided that even a few officers have submitted their confessional statements before the authority that they have remained part of the looters in Nadra.
One such confessional statement came from Muhammad Iqbal, Deputy Superintendent Procurement, a copy available with The News. It says that in NHA Project, RFID tags, a firm was favoured in collusion with NHA people and hardware was purchased.
The confessional statement reveals: “(Rental Base) Solar System Project - Again Gauhar and Rathore were looking after this project. The project was tendered 15 times in 2 years. There was some argument when companies came forward offering lower bid. One company came at the end- still awaiting approval. File is still circulating for approval. Hardware: Complete Solar Panel System for 62 sites. Meeting minutes were not kept. Rathore sb, Kaiser sb responsible for issuance of minutes but only started doing so after the 6th bid meeting. Objections were raised by the companies about the nature of the tender in that it was too specific and in favour of a specific company.”
It further reveals that in Sindh Arm Licences project, a specific company was favoured. “Director Projects (Faisal Jamshed), Khizar Misbah (Dy. Dir Projects) finalized deal and approved samples (each company gave 10 samples). Only one company could provide sufficient samples, and was thus awarded. Half delivery done, half payment left.

Faisal Jamshed told lqbal that X MEGAPLUS (Islamabad) company should be awarded contract. Hardware: Approximately 200 Computers, servers, laptops for data entry at 37 sites. All deals were finalized in CDCP F-6 Building because PMO people were all based there so it was convenient.”
Similarly the statement says, “Punjab Arms License: Hardware same as Sindh arms license. Computers, servers, printers other hardware. Gave specifications ‘authorized dealer, and 3 year principle support warranty’. MEGAPLUS awarded contract. All equipment delivered- some payment pending. Faisal Jamshed, Shams-ul-Salam (dy. Director hardware) leading the deal. Abdul Samad from MEGAPLUS was dealing from their side.”
The statement concludes that 3 years ago PMO required 4/6 scanners for data entry scanning. Two companies/scanners were recommended. “One was rejected for the reason that they wanted a specific scanner (even though the price was higher). The reason given was that it wasn’t compatible with the software. These scanners are all in the HQ. If one wants to give a favor to any vendor, he gives specific specs so that others can’t beat them. Most companies get rejected on technical bids. NIFT Project: Printing, binding dispatching electoral rolls. Clause - We want it to be printed here (NADRA) and want it to be installed as well, NIFT were awarded project on this basis.”
It is worth mentioning here that three officers of procurement department Nadra were sacked when they were caught red handed and later confessed to have earned millions through corruption. Later three more senior officers including Director Projects, Deputy Director Projects and an Assistant Director Projects were fired. According to details, one of the venders supplying material in Nadra headquarters complained about the three officers of Nadra Projects and the Vigilance Department devised a plan to catch the officers red handed. When the vender was asked to give bribe otherwise his contract will be cancelled, he made a video of the currency notes and also marked them. Then an audio device was placed in the pocket of the vender who negotiated with the front men of the said officers in the car parking of a bank from where the vender had withdrawn money to be given to the Nadra officers as bribe, the sources said.
They sources added that the moment vender left the car, the vigilance team of the authority reached the spot and recovered the marked currency notes. The front men confessed to have collected the money for the said Nadra officers.
One Director Procurement, one Deputy Director and a Superintendent Procurement based in Nadra Headquarters Islamabad were sacked after they were caught red handed making embezzlement of millions of rupees in procuring hardware, software and other equipment for Nadra. Nadra’s procurement budget is around Rs 800 million per year. Of late, chairman Nadra has also initiated inquiry against Director General Networks on account of corruption.