A smart card for every minor

After the successful launch of the chip-based Smart National Identity Card (SNIC) for Pakistani adults, the National Registration and Database Authority (NADRA) is all set to issue smart cards for children under 18 years of age.
The chip-based card will be distinguished from the Child Registration Certificate (CRC) as it will become an ‘entitlement document’ with multiple facilities. The launch of this state-of-the-art SNIC will extend Hi-Tech security solutions for the protection of holders’ identity.
NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik said card for the children will offer multi-dimensional usage and services, health, educational, social and financial inclusion programs. The new card shall be capable of holding applications such as vaccination records, academic records and polio registrations, he added.
He added, “The card will be clearly marked as valid for ‘Under 18’ till the child’s 18th birthday and shall incorporate all features of a SNIC 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 biometric data shall be valid beyond the age of 18 as Smart NICs also.”
Furthermore, Malik said that like the SNIC, this card will also be extremely safe and secure because it cannot be replicated or forged.
NADRA currently issues the CRC for registering children under 18. The 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 card will carry child’s picture and biometric record. This card is not mandatory. The CRC (B-Form) shall remain valid and NADRA shall continue to issue the same as per its registration policy.
“NADRA is empowering government with a medium to transform into a welfare state by launching multi-faced Smart Card platform”, Malik added.