THERE are scores of institutions associated with the process of technological transformation but NADRA has become an icon of technology because of the vast scale of technological innovations and numerous initiatives aimed at easing the life of the people and accelerating the pace of socio-economic progress of the country.
The Authority, headed by Tariq Malik, who has a global identity as an IT expert, is going to assume a still higher role in national affairs as it is closely working with the Election Commission of Pakistan to introduce Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), I-Voting for Overseas Pakistanis and help update the electoral rolls.
It is a matter of record that a number of institutions, set up with cherished objectives, could not sustain in the long run despite some of them enjoying virtual monopoly in the field only because they were not run on professional lines.
In this backdrop, it is encouraging to note that NADRA has become a household name with the passage of time as it facilitates the life of the citizens in many ways, thanks to adoption of the latest technology.
Initially, the Authority was assigned the task of registration of citizens and issuance of national identity cards to them but now it is also issuing Pakistan Origin Cards, passports, succession certificates, arms licenses and land records whereas its data is used as a foundation for preparation and updating of electoral rolls. Its Smart Card solution triggered branchless banking solutions in Pakistan while its ID technology forms the basis for smooth operation of a variety of social protection programmes.
It is hoped that involvement of NADRA would help realize the plan to hold next elections through EVMs as way back in 2013, when Tariq Malik headed the Authority, NADRA developed an EVM solution for general elections so that voters could exercise their right of franchise in an ambience of confidentiality and security.
The Authority is destined to scale new heights as it has professional staff and a competent head with global exposure in IT.
Tariq Malik was picked up by the UNDP from amongst 178 IT experts and previously he worked as technical consultant at the World Bank where he helped initiate the worldwide ‘ID for Development’ programme as well as authored the framework of international standards for digital identity.
