ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan launched a pilot phase of a Digital Power of Attorney Service providing the much awaited ease for Overseas Pakistanis that earlier went through a tedious process of physical appearance at their respective embassies/consulates.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has designed, developed and implemented a web-based solution that allows applying for PoA issuance.
The digitization of issuing Power of Attorney aims at addressing the public inconvenience of Overseas Pakistanis of physically visiting embassies/missions.
The Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik said rolling out digital services for expatriates is another step towards implementing PM’s vision of creating ease in public service delivery. He said every year over 73,000 Overseas Pakistanis physically visit Embassies and Mission abroad for POA issuance. The digital solution for the issuance of PoA from the comfort of their homes is a leap forward putting an end to customer inconvenience alongside saving time and traveling cost for Overseas Pakistani, he added.
Moreover, the overseas Pakistanis, residing in those countries or cities which do not have a Pakistan Embassy/Consulate, will get benefit largely from this online facility who earlier had to travel to the nearest country at Pakistan Diplomatic Mission for issuance of POA.
Pilot phase will be launched in 10 Pakistan Missions Abroad that will subsequently be replicated in all other Missions. The ten pilot phase missions are: Washington D.C, New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles in US and London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bradford in UK.
This innovative solution for the PoA, created by NADRA, utilizes state-of-the art Pak-ID Online Biometric Verification Services. During the application, the applicant(s) (also known as Executor(s)) along with two witnesses will scan and upload their paper-based biometrics, which are verified through the National Database in real-time
Following a successful biometric verification, NADRA has enabled a Video Interview Module in the application that will allow the Consular Officer at the concerned Pakistan Mission Abroad to conduct online interview of the executor(s), witnesses, and notarise their consent to execute the PoA.
The solution has features to upload the scanned documents, pictures and also allows Consular Officer at the Foreign Mission to compare and verify the details against NADRA Data. The features incorporated above meet the global benchmarks of e-KYC compliance.
In addition to software development and biometric verifications, NADRA will continue to provide customer support to end-users facing issues with their application through Pak-ID Live Chat Feature.
NADRA will also provide post-deployment technical support and maintenance services to MoFA.
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