News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The longstanding issue of biometric verification for senior citizens gets resolved as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) launched the “Tasdeeq service” on Thursday to facilitate the elderly whose fingerprints got faded with age.
While addressing the launching ceremony of the service, NADRA Chairman Muhammad Tariq Malik said that the service envisaged the alternate identity verification of senior 60 citizens of above 60. They will be asked some personal questions for their identity verification to bypass biometrics through artificial intelligence technology.
He further said that the service was initiated in five banks initially comprising MCB, Allied Bank, Bank Al Falah, Bank of Khyber, and Soneri Bank, while National Bank, Askari Bank, First Women Bank Limited, and Khushali Bank were undergoing a final test.
NADRA facility for senior citizens
Tariq Malik said senior citizens would be asked three personal questions in two attempts. When correct answers were received, the senior citizens would deem to be verified, especially during biometric verification at banks.
Tariq Malik said that NADRA received scores of complaints from senior citizens, facing problems in fingerprint verification, especially when they visit banks as skin elasticity decreased and fingerprints faded with age.
Malik said that NADRA had introduced an innovative AI-based solution adding that adding that Technology should be utilized for public convenience and NADRA always sees the technology through the lens of common people.
Facility for Benazir Income Support Program
Malik Tariq said most of the women from Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and flood affectees suffered with lot of difficulties during biometric verification and in the withdrawal of funds from banks. The service would provide a sigh of relief to these senior citizens as well.
Renowned poet and literary writer Ithikhar Arif remarked that the service provided a greater solution for senior citizens, as well as curbing corruption in society.
Kishwar Naheed appreciated the initiative said NADRA deserved appreciation for creating ease for senior citizens who had been facing difficulties with the bio-metric verification process.
Renowned literary personalities, Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, Kishware Naheed, Iftikhar Arif, and Anwar Masood, and other NADRA officials also attended the launching ceremony.
