NADRA, Other Govt Entities Caught Sitting on Billions in Secret Bank Accounts

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance was stunned to learn on Monday that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and several other government institutions have retained billions of rupees in secret bank accounts instead of transferring the funds to the federal treasury. During the committee meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Senator Anusha Rehman revealed that NADRA had kept Rs. 43 billion in its accounts, collected through property sales and public service fees. She further disclosed that the authority had invested this money, purchased business shares, and earned profits, but didn’t report to the federal government. These profits have been spent at NADRA’s discretion and without any oversight, she added. The committee directed the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Finance to submit complete details, including total amounts kept in NADRA and other institutional accounts, sources of these funds (e.g., fee collection, property sales), list of shares purchased and profits earned, and explanation for why the funds were not deposited in the central account. The panel also sought details of any relevant legal authorizations for these financial activities. Government institutions cannot act like private investors, one lawmaker complained. The committee has demanded a comprehensive briefing in the next session to determine whether any laws were violated and whether other departments are engaged in similar financial practices.