CNIC to be a multi-purpose smart card by year-end

LAHORE: The computerised national identity card (CNIC) is being converted into a multi-purpose smart card by the end of this year.

The new card will also have details of national identity, driving licence, immigration and health information.

‘The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is introducing the plan with a view to meeting the financial and social needs of Pakistanis. The multi-purpose card project is a flagship application of the authority designed to accelerate country’s entry into the information age,’ Nadra deputy chairman Tariq Malik told Dawn.

Mr Malik said: ‘The card will have an embedded chip or microprocessor that can perform a variety of functions. It will be used to pay for highway tolls, parking and public transportation and ATM transactions.’

With its digital signature feature, he said the card would enable its holder to secure e-commerce transactions. ‘It will be used as an e-purse for small purchases up to Rs10,000,’ he added.

He said Nadra had to face two major challenges when it embarked on this project. The first was technology and the other was changing the mindset of the people to accept the new card.

‘To address the technology challenge the authority evaluated leading technologies and chose the best one. The authority also benefited from the latest chip and biometric technology available with it to ensure the data on the card are accurate and secure,’ he said.

Mr Malik said now with a thumbprint image, photograph and surface information, Nadra could verify the cardholder’s identity with a card acceptance device (CAD).

‘This helps prevent forgery and misuse of cards,’ he added.