CDA to develop biometric system for records

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday inked an agreement to develop a biometric verification system (BvS) for property transfer.

The agreement was signed by NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik and CDA Chairman Amir Ali Ahmed, said a press release issued here.

The NADRA will develop and deploy a biometric verification solution for the process of sale, purchase and transfer of properties. The system will help reduce forgery and eliminate the deceptive attempts by illegitimate means or persons regarding the transfer of properties in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Approximately, 20,000 transactions of sale, purchase and transfer of properties take place annually in the CDA.

The NADRA chairman highlighted the importance of the biometric verification system for property transfer, terming it a digitised solution that was meant to transform public service delivery by scaling down the risk of forgery and obviating proscribed transactions in property transfer.

He said the development of the digital biometric system foreshadows the attempts of unlawful acts by ensuring the identity of buyer and seller. “The introduction of the BVS will not only bring transparency to the CDA system but also fulfil the compliance of know-your-customer (KYC) in property transactions,” he added.

"Biometric authentication is a unique identity that brings transparency in property transfers. The NADRA has the capacity to verify the citizens and their family members biometrically to address the challenges faced by any organisation. The NADRA's biometric identification system will provide accurate identification and minimise the risk of unwanted breaches within the CDA,” he said

With this type of security system, transactions take place not just by affidavit but through a biometric system, he said.

The CDA chairman said that the civic body's ongoing digitisation venture was further cemented by its partnership with the NADRA. “The NADRA's technical prowess in the field of information technology and data management is not only recognised nationwide but also acclaimed internationally where NADRA is considered one of the leading system integrators,” he said.

The NADRA remained engaged and successfully completed multiple enterprise-level projects of national importance and has also delivered multiple international projects successfully which has resulted in bringing a good name to Pakistan. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2022.