CNIC-based Digital Wallet Service
Contactless Biometric Verification by NADRA
Pak-ID Mobile App
Computerised CNICs
Chip-based CNICS (aka Smart Cards)
NADRA Mega Cenres
NADRA Offices in Karachi and Lahore
Mobile Registration Vehicles
Online Complaint System
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) acts as an independent agency that comes directly under the Ministry of Interior. It was formed in the year 2000 to effectively regulate matters related to registration and modification of the database of Pakistani citizens. With over 10,000 employees serving in hundreds of domestic and a few international offices, NADRA has effectively spread its network in multiple directions. Let’s explore more about latest updates in the system of NADRA.
Ever since NADRA was formed, constant improvements have been made in its system in order to provide increased data security and to improvise the process of maintenance of sensitive information in National Database, which gets updated from time to time. Let’s check out the latest updates in the system of NADRA carried out by the authorities for the improvement of the existing National Database Registration System.
NADRA Biker Service Inaugurated for the Convenience of Applicants
The recent floods have affected NADRA’s operations across the country, especially in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. Many people have lost their important documents including CNICs. The Interior Minister recently visited the NADRA headquarters and was briefed about the situation by the authority’s chairman.
In order to facilitate the affected people to re-apply for their lost CNICs as well as provide doorstep services to other applicants, NADRA has introduced the biker service. According to a news story published in a renowned English daily, the NADRA biker service will only be available in the twin cities in the initial phase. However, there are plans to expand the network of NADRA bikers to other parts of the country by the end of this year.
There will be a separate service for women as they will be catered by female NADRA bikers. It would be like a portable NADRA centre visiting your home and helping you process your CNIC applications. The primary focus of this service is to help you skip the line and manage the ever-increasing daily footfall at NADRA centres across the country.
NADRA Is Converting CNICs into Digital Wallets
NADRA is currently working on yet another groundbreaking digital initiative to facilitate the masses. The authority is planning to convert the Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) into digital wallets. CNIC-based digital wallets will be introduced under the umbrella of the government’s Digital Pakistan Campaign.
NADRA is also working to improve its Pak Identity web portal and mobile app, the updated versions of which are expected to be launched later this year. The upcoming digital wallet service will be synced with Pak Identity mobile app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Users of the app will be able to perform financial transactions through their digital IDs available with the NADRA. According to the NADRA chief Tariq Malik, it will be an absolutely safe digital payment system with cutting-edge security features like biometric verification.
The Newly Launched ‘Contactless’ Biometric Verification System
At the request of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), NADRA has introduced a cutting-edge digital service, which now enables the country’s banking sector to make use of the ‘contactless’ biometric verification system.
Pakistan has now become one of the first countries in the world to implement remote biometric verification technology at the national level. All the commercial banks in the country will now include a special feature in their mobile apps, which will allow them to remotely capture as well as verify biometrics of their existing and potential account holders from anywhere.
“This new technology makes contactless fingerprint acquisition and matching possible using a smart mobile phone, providing an alternative to conventional methods of conducting digital financial transactions that may require specialised equipment or visits to bank branches,” said NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik while making a statement about the newly launched contactless biometric verification system.
Pak-ID Mobile App
NADRA has also launched a mobile application for its fully integrated web portal known by the name of Pak-Identity. The Pak-ID mobile app further adds to the convenience of the NADRA user base. It allows locals, as well as overseas Pakistanis (including expatriates in the country), to easily scan and upload the required documents including photographs.
The revolutionary feature of this app is that it also enables users to capture and upload their fingerprints using their mobile phone cameras to update the NADRA database. To learn more about the Pak-ID mobile application, read our detailed guide on it.
Computerised National Identity Card
The introduction of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) was an absolute breakthrough that was achieved by NADRA in the very first year of its formation. Previously, the age-old database system, which was introduced almost four decades ago in the 1970s, was being used. It was ineffective and less secure as compared to the modern and digitized system that has been announced in the past couple of years. Computerized National Identity Card, shortened as CNIC, effectively paved a way to accumulate and verify almost all the important information regarding the citizens of Pakistan over 18 years of age.
Issuance of Chip-based CNICs – no less than a revolution
One of the most incredible latest updates in the system of NADRA is the inclusion of state-of-the-art chips in the National Identity Card. This chip has an encrypted digital record of all your sensitive information that appears on your CNIC and has been recorded in the National Database. The cutting-edge phenomenon of biometric verification has also been made a part of this digitized National Database Registration System as all the available data of the citizens of Pakistan has been synchronized with this system.
Biometric verification allows a particular system to recognize you as a citizen of this country without having the need of carrying your CNIC everywhere. The process of digital transformation of the National Database will continue like this until all Pakistani citizens have their sensitive information digitally registered and biometrically verified.
NADRA Mega Centre
Another major latest updates in the system of NADRA in recent years is the setting up of not only one but two mega centres in Karachi. Breaking the conventions of normal office timings followed by NADRA offices, which are from 9am to 5pm during weekdays, these Mega Centres remain open 24/7. Due to round-the-clock operations, the existence of NADRA Mega Centres in Karachi is a blessing, especially for people belonging to the working class. Whether it’s a Saturday or a Sunday; early in the morning or late at night, you can easily visit NADRA Mega Centres in Karachi to get your application submitted and processed with the assistance of their employees serving in three shifts.
Details About NADRA Offices in Karachi and Lahore
From addresses to contact numbers and timings, get all the relevant information about the nearest NADRA office to your home by reading our detailed guides on NADRA offices in Karachi and Lahore.
Mobile Registration Vehicle(s)
One of the most significant latest updates in the system of NADRA is the introduction of mobile registration vehicles. It is purposed for the assistance of people who live in remote areas of the country or are unable to travel due to different kinds of medical conditions. NADRA Mobile Registration vehicles, based on a fleet of vans and cars, were introduced last year by the Information Ministry of Pakistan. However, NADRA Mobile Registration Cars are only to be used in those areas where it becomes impossible for vans to get through.
All these NADRA vehicles are equipped with features that are needed in the process of registration and modification of sensitive information in the National Database. NADRA mobile registration vehicles reach out to people and get their useful information as citizens of Pakistan effectively registered.
Availability of Online Complaint System
Thanks to the incorporation of a digital system, now people all across Pakistan can lodge online complaints regarding the delays and other issues they might face in the issuance of their Smart CNICs. It’s been observed that these online processes are not only smooth but also swift. The status of a complaint can also be tracked online by logging on to the official NADRA website.
These improvements have considerably provided much-needed convenience to Pakistanis, who previously had to stand in long queues to either get their sensitive information registered or updated through the National Database Registration System.
We have covered a lot of different guides and overviews regarding many new services and features recently introduced by NADRA. For your reference, here is a list of a few important blogs related to the subject that may interest you. Take a look!
- How to Change Your Legal Name with NADRA
- Step-by-step Guide to Renewing Your CNIC Online With NADRA
- Your Complete Guide to NADRA e-Sahulat
- All About NADRA’s Smart Card and Its Benefits
- Your Guide to Tracking Your NADRA CNIC Record Digitally
- How to Check Your Asset Details through NADRA and FBR Portals
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