New method to help elderly, medically affected citizens when centers start issuing certificates from January 20
Visitors check their phones behind the screen advertising facial recognition software during the Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC) at the National Convention in Beijing, China April 27, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
The National Database and Registration Authority has launched a facial recognition-based biometric verification system to help citizens who have problems with fingerprint verification, especially elderly people and people with medical conditions.
A NADRA spokesperson said the move follows directives from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, following which several steps were taken to improve identity verification. Changes have been made to the National Identity Card regulations to expand the legal definition of biometric verification, formally including facial recognition.
NADRA said it is fully prepared to implement the system and has asked relevant public and private institutions to take necessary measures to recognize facial recognition as a valid verification method.
“The service has already been added as a feature to the Pak-Identity mobile application,” the spokesperson said, adding that once Pakistan’s digital ID system is formally launched, facial recognition verification will be available directly through the app.
Also read: NADRA launches facial recognition feature in January
From January 20, all NADRA registration centers across the country will start issuing biometric verification certificates based on facial recognition. Under the new procedure, if fingerprint verification fails, the citizen will be referred to the nearest NADRA registration center for facial recognition.
Once the process is completed, NADRA issues a Biometric Verification Certificate. Citizens will be able to get the certificate when required by paying a nominal fee.
The certificate will contain the person’s photograph, national identity card number, name, father’s name, a unique tracking ID and a QR code. It will be valid for seven days.
NADRA stated that anyone facing service availability issues should file a complaint with the appropriate institution or department.
