Under the government’s Digital Pakistan vision, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is aiming to make computerised national identity cards digital wallets, and an update to an already existing app will likely be released later this year.
“To bring this goal to life, we’ve released the ‘Pak Identity’ mobile app as a major component of digital ID, allowing applicants for national identity cards to apply online.”
In an exclusive interview with Dawn, Nadra CEO Tariq Malik stated, “The software enables the capture of biometric fingerprints, facial recognition, and scan papers needed for processing a person’s ID card using cellphones, without having to visit a Nadra office or embassy.”
He claimed that in a short period of time, 75,000 Pakistanis living abroad had their national identity cards [called Nicop] processed from the comfort of their homes.The app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Mr. Malik claimed that with the release of this software, Pakistan has become the first country to use smartphone cameras for “contactless biometric” acquisition and verification. Nadra would opt for a digital wallet after successful testing on 75,000 foreign Pakistanis, he said.
