WEF Highlights Transformative Impact of Digital ID in Pakistan

According to a recent report published to the World Economic Forum (WEF) blog, digital identity is now a fundamental part of everyday life for adults in Pakistan.

The report notes that this shift is primarily driven by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which has to date issued Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to over 240 million citizens. These digital IDs streamline various tasks such as banking, purchasing airline tickets, obtaining driver’s licenses, and accessing social services.

NADRA’s role in initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Programe (BISP) and the Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) scheme highlight its impact on financial inclusion. The BISP increased CNIC issuance by 72 percent, while the AMA scheme secured over 10 million mobile accounts within two years, with around 40 percent being women-owned.

The WEF also highlights how Pakistan’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) initiatives aim to improve financial inclusion and empower citizens, particularly in underserved areas. These initiatives include digital identity, fast digital payment systems, and data exchanges between public and private entities. Strong political commitment and robust legal frameworks support these efforts to ensure safe and responsible deployment.

Key DPI projects include the expansion of the RAAST payment system, a nationwide digital health records system, and a blockchain-based land registry—three initiatives that aim to enhance efficiency and transparency, potentially boosting GDP by up to 7 percent through widespread digital payments.

Additionally, the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance, along with the World Bank, supports responsible digital payments and emphasizes the importance of women having accounts in their own names to promote financial equality and inclusion.

Source: The Sociable

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(Originally published on Mobile ID World)