National Registration Authority (NADRA) came into being in 2000 by merging Registration Department and National Database Organisation (NDO) with a vision to modernise the registration system through sophisticated information technology. NADRA has gone beyond expectations and beyond borders to prove that the experiment envisaged nearly a decade ago is a success.
Let there be no doubt that this achievement has come through the hard work, diligence and determination of the NADRA workforce. NADRA has been instrumental in providing the Government of Pakistan with tools necessary to ensure good governance.
NADRA has now established its name across the globe. NADRA is a unique establishment in its own right and it will not be long before NADRA emerges a global technological giant. Accomplishments of NADRA have been lauded around the world. An ISO Certified organisation, which has won ID World Achievement Award few months ago, is rated among the top 15 in the world is major competitor of US, Indian and European companies who are involved in eGovt solutions that are based on Identity Management Systems.
NADRA has registered 85% of the total adult population of Pakistan and now houses the largest biometric data warehouse in the world. This has done much to improve Pakistan's image as a progressive and modern state providing a fine blend of both technology and efficiency to nurture good governance. NADAR was stacking registration records, but the new management has taken the initiative to arm elected government to roll out its social sector program based on informed decision making.
Hence, in absence of a poverty database, or in wait of World bank till they do the poverty score card, government should be able to do direct interventions to help its people to absorb financial shock - NADRA came up with a software to execute eligibility criteria for Benazir Income Support Program beneficiary.
It is playing a vital role in streamlining the Benazir Income Support Program. Income Support at a national level aims to alleviate the conditions of the poorest segment of the society by providing Cash Subsidies in Financial Transactions and Health Insurance. It is presently the largest conditional cash program in the world as ranked by the World Bank.
NADRA has also extended its resources for the uplift of around 3 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan due to the recent military operations against the terrorist factions in the North West. The IDP project works around smart cards issued upon data verification by NADRA.
NADRA's solution enabled elected civilian government to provide immediate relief, rehabilitation and providing reconstruction cost to more than 325,000 families amounting to Rs 8 billion transparently using ATM cards. Economist (August 22,2009 issue) suggest this as a best approach and recommends that there is a lesson in this approach for the crises manageres of USA and other developing countries.
(Writer is Deputy Chairman NADRA)