logo
NADRA rolls out new digital security feature for overseas Pakistanis

NADRA rolls out new digital security feature for overseas Pakistanis

Express Tribune13-04-2025
Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced biometric verification to its Pak ID mobile app, aiming to bolster security for overseas Pakistanis, particularly those living in the United Arab Emirates.
The app, which allows users to apply for a range of identity documents, including the Smart National ID Card for Overseas Pakistanis, will now require biometric verification when logging in from a new device, NADRA said in a statement.
'This new security feature is designed to protect citizens' information and prevent unauthorised access, identity theft, and misuse of Pak ID accounts,' the authority added.
The Pak ID app streamlines the application and renewal process for identity documents, enabling Pakistanis at home and abroad to manage their ID-related tasks directly from their smartphones, without needing to visit NADRA service centres.
NADRA said the added layer of biometric authentication will help safeguard sensitive data, offering users more secure access to its digital ID services.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KP govt launches digital identity system ‘Khyber Pass'
KP govt launches digital identity system ‘Khyber Pass'

Business Recorder

time3 days ago

  • Business Recorder

KP govt launches digital identity system ‘Khyber Pass'

PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officially launched a digital identity system named 'Khyber Pass' on Tuesday. A formal ceremony marking the inauguration of the system was held at the Chief Minister's House on Tuesday, where Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur formally launched it. The ceremony was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Technology Shafqat Ayaz, members of the provincial cabinet, members of the provincial assembly, and senior government officials. Khyber Pass is the first-of-its-kind digital identity system in Pakistan based on a QR code mechanism. It will be integrated with NADRA and other government databases, enabling citizens to access all their identity-related information online. With this system, citizens will no longer need to repeatedly provide personal information to avail government services. Through a single Khyber Pass digital account, residents will be able to access all public services offered by the provincial government. The unified QR code will serve as a gateway to services such as health, education, taxation, licensing, property records, and more—eliminating the need for multiple registrations or form submissions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

How cryptocurrency can rescue real estate in Pakistan
How cryptocurrency can rescue real estate in Pakistan

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

How cryptocurrency can rescue real estate in Pakistan

Listen to article Pakistan's real estate sector, once considered a pillar of economic stability, is now grappling with a credibility crisis. Widespread fraud, unchecked land mafias, tax evasion and manipulation of property records have all contributed to an environment of mistrust and uncertainty. This erosion of confidence has affected not only domestic stakeholders but also the millions of overseas Pakistanis who have traditionally invested in property as a safe and profitable asset. In this climate of skepticism, even tangible assets like land and buildings are being avoided, while ironically, intangible digital assets like cryptocurrencies — backed by no physical collateral — continue to attract investment due to their accessibility and perceived transparency. Real estate, despite its immense value, remains largely informal, representing one of the most underutilised economic sectors in terms of transparency, taxation and access. The root problem lies not in the real estate asset itself, but in how it is managed, documented and transacted. A transformative solution lies in the emerging field of real estate tokenisation through blockchain technology. Tokenisation refers to the digital representation of real-world assets, such as property, by creating divisible digital tokens on a blockchain. Each token represents a fractional ownership stake in the underlying asset. These tokens can be bought, sold and transferred easily, giving investors a legally backed, transparent and secure way to participate in property markets without traditional bureaucratic hurdles. Properly structured tokenised assets, especially when backed by regulated custodians and property registries, can be legally enforceable and transparent to regulators and courts alike. Unlike cryptocurrency tokens that often have no intrinsic value, tokens representing physical property are backed by tangible assets. This makes them fundamentally more secure and less speculative. While many in Pakistan remain wary of cryptocurrencies due to regulatory uncertainty, tokenised real estate offers a hybrid model: combining digital efficiency with physical security. Through smart contracts — automated digital agreements — these tokens can manage property transfers, rental income distribution and legal compliance without relying on intermediaries. Every transaction is permanently recorded on a blockchain ledger, making it immutable and publicly verifiable. This technology directly addresses the challenges that have plagued Pakistan's property sector for decades: fraudulent documentation, unregistered transactions and disputes over ownership. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken an encouraging step forward by launching a Regulatory Sandbox to allow innovative financial technologies like real estate tokenisation to be tested in a controlled environment. In 2024, tokenised property investment was included in the sandbox's second cohort. This framework allows for the creation of legally recognised digital tokens, supported by trust structures or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), while ensuring compliance with existing property and financial regulations. It represents a practical bridge between traditional land ownership and the digital economy. Around the world, real estate tokenisation is already being implemented successfully. Countries like Switzerland, Germany, the US and the UAE are leading the way, with platforms offering investors the opportunity to own fractional shares in real estate projects through digital tokens. These models not only ensure legal protection but also improve market liquidity, democratise investment and boost public trust. Pakistan stands to gain significantly by learning from these frameworks and localising them to suit its socio-economic and legal realities. The vision for a tokenised real estate marketplace in Pakistan is not hypothetical. Emerging platforms like Prop Adviser 2.0 are already preparing to offer decentralised property investment opportunities. Such platforms aim to use blockchain, smart contracts and digital wallets to allow global investors — including overseas Pakistanis — to seamlessly invest in vetted real estate projects. This would reduce reliance on brokers and middlemen, eliminate corruption and allow small-scale investors to participate in a market that has historically been accessible only to the wealthy and well-connected. The journey ahead requires legal clarity, enforcement of smart contract recognition, digitisation of land records and increased public awareness. But the foundation has been laid. Real estate tokenisation offers not only a technological upgrade but also an institutional reform — one that can bring transparency, restore investor confidence and formalise a major segment of Pakistan's shadow economy. If adopted earnestly, it can play a vital role in reviving the real estate sector and stimulating broader economic growth. The technology is ready. The need is urgent. The question is: will Pakistan seize the moment?

Temporary mobile registration system launched for expats
Temporary mobile registration system launched for expats

Express Tribune

time03-07-2025

  • Express Tribune

Temporary mobile registration system launched for expats

Overseas Pakistanis can avail the FBR tax-free mobile registration facility for 120 days per each visit under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) policy. The Pakistan Telecomm-unication Authority (PTA) is facilitating this service through its free, automated Temporary Mobile Registration System, available via DIRBS portal: said a news release. This module has been introduced for those overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals who do not intend to keep their mobile device in Pakistan and will be applicable for only one mobile handset device. To avail of this facility, the applicant shall provide his/her credentials including passport number, date of arrival and intended date of departure, mobile SIM issued in his/her name, and IMEI(s) of the device. The new system shall carry out real-time validation from FIA's Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to verify the date of arrival of the applicant. On the lapse of 120 days of the stay of the applicant, the IMEI(s) utilised under this facilitation shall be suspended and will not be utilised on local network services. In case, the same applicant visits Pakistan again, he/she will be required to re-apply for this temporary facilitation, by re-entering the credentials which were used for the 1st or previous registration under this scheme. This system will not only facilitate overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals coming to Pakistan on a short-term basis but will also create a positive image of the country. Likewise, the checks introduced under this system will ensure that only the genuine overseas Pakistani/foreign national avails the said facility.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store