Pakistan ahead of USA, India in biometrics, says NADRA

[Naveed Yaseen]

islamabad: Pakistan is way ahead of the USA and India in the usage of biometric and facial recognition systems, as over 85 per cent of its adult population uses them, stated National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik on Saturday.

He was addressing the eighth Annual Smart Cards Government Conference 2009 in Washington, USA. Malik said “Pakistan takes pride in establishing the world largest biometric citizen database, thus enabling the elected government to use identity infrastructure to lend financial support to its citizens.”

“Many facets of the lives of the Pakistani citizens depended on NADRA’s ability to assert Pakistani identity in an efficient, safe and widely accepted manner,” he informed the jam-packed Identity Management gurus who turned up from all across the world.

Malik announced that NADRA was going to introduce a smart card technology next year. The pilot project meant for oversees Pakistanis would use secure smart card in conjunction with the biometrics, he said.

The fingerprint template can be stored on the card for quick authentication ensuring security and quick immigration at Pakistani airports.

Malik said while Pakistan Army was engaged in war on terror, NADRA helped the government win the hearts and minds of Pakistanis through its smart cards.

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