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NDBO, DGR to be merged

Cabinet approves setting up of Database Registration Authority

T A Malik

Islamabad: The Cabinet has approved establishment of National Database Registration Authority (NDRA) by merging the National Database Organisation and the Directorate General of Registration.

The Cabinet which met here on Wednesday with Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, in the chair, also approved creation of Ministry of Energy from July 1, 2000 by grouping together the functions relating to the energy section being performed by different ministries, divisions, and organisations such as the renewable energy wing of ministry of petroleum and natural resources.

The ministry of water and power and ministry of petroleum and natural resources will be merged to form the ministry of energy, sources added.

It may be noted here that Business Recorder had published a lead story on creation of ministry of energy some weeks before and informed its readers accordingly.

The Cabinet was informed that NDRA shall develop and implement registration system for all citizens, foreigners and immigrants by means of issuing Identity Cards, Pakistan Origin Cards, Overseas Identity Cards and Alien Registration Cards. The Authority shall formulate and propose schemes, proposals and plans for development, establishment and maintenance of registration and database systems to the federal and provincial governments.

With the establishment of NDRA and the approval of its new scope of work and programme of action spread in specific phases over the next two to four years, the country will take a giant step forward in transforming the data infrastructure. NDRA will create an entirely new, integrated and computerised database network, which will be instantly accessible from the grass-roots, at district level through divisional provincial and national levels.

The Cabinet observed that the benefits of setting up NDRA would have a direct impact on virtually all aspects of the lives of citizens and on accelerating national development.

One of the major functions of the NDRA would be to produce and issue new computerised National Identity Cards to all citizens; of Pakistan Origin Cards to Pakistanis settled abroad who have either dual nationality or have renounced Pakistan nationality; Overseas Identity Cards for overseas Pakistanis working abroad; and Alien Registration Cards for aliens in Pakistan.

The Chief Executive appreciated the momentum and direction of the progress achieved by the ministry of interior and national database organisation in this regard.

(NIHCR transfer)

The Cabinet also approved the transfer of the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research from the ministry of culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs to the ministry of education (Quaid-i-Azam University) with a view to making it a centre of excellence.

Stressing the need to promote tourism in the country, both for foreign and local tourists, the Chief Executive said that the missions abroad should gear up their efforts to attract tourists and project Pakistan as a tourism-friendly country in an effective manner, he asked the ministry of tourism to provide better facilities to the tourists.

The Chief Executive directed the ministry of sports to make structural changes in sports outfits to make them vibrant and effective in popularising sports at grass-roots level as a healthy entertainment activity. Regional sports need to be encouraged and promoted, both at national and provincial levels, he said. A national sports promotion strategy was needed to be evolved with a view to generate sports culture in the country and create interest in the general public to take part in sports, the Cabinet directed.

The Cabinet also decided to call a meeting of the National Commission of Science and Technology in the near future to discuss the issues of research and development. General Musharraf will preside over the meeting.

The Commission has not held its meeting for the past over 10 years. Convening the meeting of the Commission manifests the desire of the government to promote science and technology for national development, sources said.