ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authoity (NADRA) is set to start issuing chip-based Smart National Identity Cards for children of under eighteen.
According to a press release, the smart cards for children, having more value added services, are being issued after the successful launch of Chip-Based Smart National Identity Cards (SNIC) for the adult population of the country.The Child Registration Certificate (CRC) would remain valid and NADRA would continue issuing the same as per current registration policy.The launch of state of the art Smart Identity Card is to extend an experience of Hi-Tech security solution for the protection of juveniles’ identity.Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik said the chip-based Smart Identity Card for the children will offer multi-dimensional usage and services, health, educational, social and financial inclusion programs.
The new card for children would be capable of holding applications and data from the health, education and social sector such as vaccination records, academic records and polio registrations, he added.Malik said the introduction of a Smart Identity Card will be beneficial for both the citizens and the Government of Pakistan not only as an identity document but also as a medium of storing data from the health,education and social sector on the chip.
He said, “The card will be clearly marked as valid for “Under 18” till the child’s date of 18th birthday and incorporate all features of a Smart NIC for citizens including photograph, name, father’s name, date of birth and address.Biometrics shall be captured for children over the age of 15 as per the specified accepted age of juvenile biometrics for the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).Such Child Smart Card carrying biometrics data shall be valid beyond the age of 18 as Smart NICs also.
Malik said that like smart identity card this card will also be the safest and most secure because it cannot be replicated or forged.He said a chip will be fitted into the card which helps the government to provide all out facilities like health and education record, life insurance and financial assistance in case of calamity to this specific segment of society.NADRA currently issues Child Registration Certificate (CRC) for registration of children under the age of 18.
CRC is printed on A4 sized secure paper holding the child’s name, gender and date of birth. There is no picture of the child on the CRC.However, the new Smart Card will carry child’s picture with biometrics record. This card is not mandatory. CRC (B-Form) shall remain valid and NADRA shall continue to issue the same as per registration policy in vogue.“NADRA is empowering government with a medium to transform into a welfare state by launching multi-faced Smart Card platform”, said Tariq Malik. – APP
