ISLAMABAD: National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) rolled out Pakistan’s first data protection service putting citizens in charge of their personal information, authority said. This cutting-edge ‘Ijazat Aap Ki’ service will enable citizens to give their consent before verification of CNIC, ensuring that their sensitive data is protected and secure at all times. By giving citizens real and effective ownership and restricting unauthorised access, it has taken an unprecedented step, Nadra said in statement. Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik launching service said that consent management is digital mechanism in line with his vision to protect citizens’ privacy and strengthen data security. “Your data is your personal property and just like your physical property, citizens are from now onwards empowered to control access and protect against misuse or unwarranted use,” he said.

He said service providers including banks shall seek permission from citizen through passcode before using their personal information. He emphasised need for citizens to remain vigilant in protecting their personal information and urged them to take all necessary precautions to prevent identity theft and fraud. All verification transactions will require 6-digit passcode sent to citizen’s registered mobile number to seek their consent to proceed with data sharing.

Pin number will be presented for authentication and will be deemed as citizen’s consent to get his/her ID number verification from Nadra. Nadra collects citizens’ mobile numbers at time of registration for ID card. Authority has also launched an SMS service , enabling citizens to enrol their mobile numbers. They can send text message containing their 13-digit ID card number on short code to register their mobile number with Nadra. In response, Nadra will send confirmation message to sender in case enrollment is successful.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 03 2023

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