In recognition of establishing the largest database of 1.409 million Afghan Refugees swiftly, Tariq Malik, Deputy Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) was awarded the prestigious ID 'People Award' by ID technologists in an international Auto ID gala held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Malik received the award and highlighted Pakistan's name among his contemporary technologists belonging to 40 countries as he was selected in the category of global migration. Malik proved his efficiency by getting 1.409 million of Afghan Refugees registered for Secure Card and 769,542 Afghan Children (under18) have been issued birth certificates in a record shortest span of time by using multi-biometric technology and delivered successful results to the UNHCR sponsored project, said a press release issued by Nadra, here on Tuesday.
Sophie B. de la Giroday, President Wise Media SPA, presented the award in the fourth annual EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) summit on security documents, global mobility and traceability. Interior Minister, Rehman Malik was also present on the occasion and congratulated Tariq Malik on winning the award. He thanked ID technologists all over the world who voted for Tariq Malik.
Malik was selected in the category of global migration because of the Afghan Refugees multi biometric registration. NADRA under his leadership finished UNHCR sponsored project for registration of 1.47 million Afghan refugees in a record time using multi-biometric technology, thus enabling UNHCR to have world's largest refugee database. Malik was specially invited as keynote speaker in the conference as in 2009, he won ID WORLD Outstanding Achievement Award in ID World International Congress in Milan, Italy after competing against 250 short listed candidates of Fortune 500 companies belonging to 75 countries for using ICT to provide innovative citizen centric services.
He said Nadra is transforming e-Government agenda in Pakistan. It houses world's largest multi-biometric database and has very effectively used it to bring transparency in governments citizen centric initiatives like Benazir Income Support Programme, Cash Disbursement Programme for Internally Displaced People, Machine Readable Passport Issuance, Electronic Seafarer Cards Programme, e-Arms License Initiative, Motorway Toll Collection using e-toll application, ID Card Verification through SMS, Integrated Border Management Solutions and Biometric Access Control Systems". These programmes have added public convenience, improved service delivery, and ensured transparency he, added.
Sheikh Saif Bin Zahyed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the United Arab Emirates opened the conference with his welcome address. The conference is endorsed by the European Commission.
Among the dignitaries who attended the conference were Ronal Nobel, Interpol Chief, Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan, Ali Arshad Hakeem, Chairman NADRA, Dr Ali Khouri Chairman Emirates Identity Authority, UAE, Chief of UAE Police, Dr Pandey, Deputy Chief of Unique Identity Authority of India, UN and EU officials.
ID World Abu Dhabi 2011 with its global and regional focus on the markets for automatic identification is the key conference to share knowledge and learn about innovations and new developments in auto ID industry. More than 400 leaders and technology experts gathered to discuss tested strategies, best practices and innovations in evaluating new trends in this niche market.