ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Tariq Malik said the authority was in the process to convert the computerised national identity cards (CNICs) into Digital Wallets to maximise the scope of the government’s Digital Pakistan and offer online facilities to Pakistanis in the country and abroad.
He said that an existing app of NADRA will be updated later in 2022 to accomplish this goal.
Tariq Malik said, “Translating this vision into reality, we have launched the ‘Pak Identity’ mobile app as a key building block of digital ID to facilitate applicants of CNICs through an online portal. The app captures biometric fingerprints, facial recognition, and scans documents for processing an individual’s ID card using smartphones and the applicants wouldn’t be required to visit NADRA offices.”
Malik further pointed out that 75,000 overseas Pakistanis have processed their national identity cards [called NICOP] online from their homes by using the app. He said the app is supported by two-factor authentication and it is available on Android and iOS platforms.
Mr Malik said that with the launch of this app, Pakistan has become the first country to implement “contactless biometric” acquisition and verification using smartphone cameras. “With successful testing on 75,000 overseas Pakistanis, Nadra will go for a digital wallet,” he said.
Chairman NADRA explained that the digital wallet innovation will revolutionise the national ID eco-system in Pakistan by ensuring public convenience, and is a leap forward putting an end to the conventional physical ID.
He said, “The digital dividends of modern technology innovation will yield positive results in contactless banking, financial inclusion, ease of doing business and e-governance initiatives by offering remote identification and e-KYC (electronic know your customer).”
Tariq Malik said the authority has registered 120 million adults (96% of the total population aged above 18) so far, with Balochistan constituting 83pc registration, compared to over 96pc in other provinces.
He said, “Nadra is going to open centres in the remaining 20 of the total 517 tehsils in the country by June while the authority would also launch 96 mobile vans, taking their number to 356 countrywide.
