ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Tuesday formally launched the ‘National Cash Remittance Programme’ to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.

Salient features of the programme include timely processing of transactions, safe and secure handling of cash, and confidentiality of data and transactions.

“People across the country can now simply walk into NADRA centres and get their remitted money from the designated network of NADRA outlets,” said NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik at the launch of the Smart Home Remittance Programme.

There are more than 117 NADRA Registration Centres designated all over Pakistan from which they can receive foreign remittances.

The remittance programme will enable NADRA centres to process inward home remittances from overseas for the general public using smart national identity cards.

NADRA has successfully deployed infrastructure across the designated registration centres for facilitating Pakistanis to receive funds in a safe and timely manner.

“ID card is no more just an identity document, it is about entitlements”, said NADRA Chairman while promising that NADRA intends to roll out citizen centric smart e-government programmes.

The chairman expressed his resolve to further promote the facility to the remaining registration centres where the system was not currently available. He stated that foreign remittance is crucial to the sustainability of national economy, and NADRA’s initiative is directly aimed at facilitating and promoting the disbursement of money into Pakistan.

NADRA’s services have assisted commercial banks to extend branch-less banking concept without incurring additional expense on infrastructure as well as operational costs, thus creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders.