Islamabad (Zahid Yaqoob Khawaja): The spokesperson for the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has issued a clarification regarding an objection raised in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concerning the NADRA Headquarters building.

According to the official statement, the property in question was allotted to the National Database Organization (NDO), the predecessor of NADRA, by the Government of Pakistan via letter No. 54/DD(DD(A-3)CES/99 dated 17 February 2000. Following the reconstitution of NDO and the establishment of NADRA in 2002, the allotment was reaffirmed through letter No. 04-S/S)(A.I)/2002-313 dated 9 March 2002.

The spokesperson emphasized that NADRA has operated from this location for the past 25 years, and during this period, no objections regarding rent or ownership of the building have ever been raised in any audit reports issued by the Auditor General of Pakistan.

It was further highlighted that several other government offices, including those of National Assembly Standing Committee chairpersons, are also located in the same building without any rent being demanded from them.

The NADRA spokesperson noted that the issue has already been reviewed by the Authority’s Board during its 69th meeting, where it was concluded that the property was officially allotted by the federal government, and therefore, NADRA is not liable to pay rent for it.

Reaffirming its commitment to compliance, NADRA stated that it regularly pays all applicable property taxes to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) as a responsible national institution providing registration services to citizens.