All e-Governance programs must remain citizen-centric as technology itself tends to become alienated to the needs of the people unless the citizens' social fabric is integrated with it.
Majority of citizen ID programs have failed to create a balance in using technology for security applications versus technology for citizen-centric applications. Nadra Chairman was specially invited to address the Electronic Passport Forum, which highlights the issues and opportunities related to the introduction of electronic passports and visas as well as the new national IDs, driver's licences, and e-health cards.
Compulsory integration of computerised ID card to eliminate identity theft and to improve law and order situation in Pakistan, additionally it will help the government in e-governance projects to improve lifestyle of common man.
He said that there is a great need to employ a citizen-centric approach while devising e-governance projects. Such an approach will lead not only to good governance but will also prove to be the foundation for various automated public sector applications.
Emphasising the importance of creating a citizen database, he said, it was authentic and moved towards elimination of 'identity theft', and cannot be overemphasised as it forms the basis of all e-governance regimes (including e-commerce, aspects of governance and security). He underscored the need of the socio-technical matrix with the aim of merging the requirements of the citizen in tandem with the overall aspects of security and good governance.
Dilating upon Pakistan's identity card program and future utilisation of this card and the e-government projects in Pakistan, Nadra Chairman highlighted that the program would give drive to economy, transparency and authentication. Common people in Pakistan are appreciating Nadra's efforts in small business and other day-to-day transactions. He said the identity card project has become a role model for other countries. Delegations from other countries are showing interest in this project, being a success story. Nadra can be proud of its Identity Card program which has been recognised internationally.
About various achievements of Nadra, he said that the Authority had so far issued 60 million CNICs and was receiving around 25,000 CNIC requests daily. "It is one of the largest fully integrated database in the world with an Automatic Finger Identification System (AFIS) and Facial Recognition System", he said.
"With integration of the CNICs with other services, Nadra wants a positive change in the society that would ultimately lead to a better law and order situation, improved living standards of the masses and to facilitate and implement the concept of good governance in letter and spirit", he said. Nadra had established its stall to exhibit its products relating to Homeland Security Solutio-ns/Systems during the session. A large number of foreign delegates visited the stall and appreciated Nadra's products, the spokesman said.
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Quelle/Source: Unique Pakistan, 24.12.2007
