ID cards to soon function as ‘digital wallets’

The app will help launch a contactless biometric system. Computerized national identity cards will soon also function as digital wallets under the new Digital Pakistan initiative. The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is working to update the already existing app which will be made available later this year, Dawn reported.

Around 96 percent of the total population (120 million adults) aged above 18 is registered with the database agency, with about 83 percent registered in Balochistan compared to over 96 percent in other provinces.

Called ‘Pak Identity,’ the app is available on both Android and iOS platforms and can process national identity card applications through an online portal, removing the need to visit Nadra offices. According to Nadra chief Tariq Malik who gave an exclusive interview to Dawn, the “contactless biometric” system has been tested on 75,000 overseas Pakistanis and will “revolutionize the national ID eco-system in Pakistan by ensuring public convenience.”

“The digital dividends of such 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),” said Mr. Malik