President launches nation-wide kiosks network for bill collection
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday launched Nadra's nation-wide automated utility bill collection system and directed to expand its reach to facilitate the common man.
Inaugurating the indigenously manufactured kiosk at the NADRA headquarters, the President said the facility will go a long way in ameliorating the difficulties of the common man in payment of their utility bills.
The President was earlier informed that 240 kiosks have been installed in all the major cities in low- income and high density areas to facilitate the people.
He was also told that the touch-screen equipment installed was user-friendly and enabled even illiterate people operate it with ease.
The President directed that the number of kiosks be increased to every nook and corner of the country so that the people do not have to waste their precious time waiting for their turn in long queues.
He also appreciated various other projects of Nadra including the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) and the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) and said these have earned the authority lot of credibility and improved country's image.
The President said Pakistan's MRP was now one of the best in the world, and along with the CNIC provided dual authentication through biometric and facial recognition.
He said NADRA was one of the few organisations where the database had integrated facial recognition and finger print identification system.
The President also noted NADRA's role in helping curb crimes and said in most of the cases it provided timely and authentic data to hunt down terrorists and criminals.
He also appreciated the award of contract to NADRA for providing computerised driving licenses for Bangladesh.
The President was informed about a proposal to the use of CNIC as a debit card, which will enable particularly the low income groups keep their savings and allow them to pay the bills or buy groceries through Utility Stores Corporation.
He said the proposal will go a long way in helping the common man, but asked the authority to launch a media campaign to educate them about the use of its equipment.
The President appreciated the achievements of NADRA and said with determination, perseverance and conviction the authority has come a long way since its inception and asked it to continue doing its good work.
The day also marked President's seventh anniversary in service of the nation. He recalled that when he took over the reigns of the government, the country was almost bankrupt and about to be declared a failed state.
He said over the years he with the help of others helped revive the country's economy, dealt with the problems in almost all areas, prepared strategies and gave direction.
The President said that in the first two years he worked 16-18 hours a day and "set direction to a rudderless [state] in high seas."
He said with Allah's help, resolve and good intentions the country's economy turned around. He said the revenue that increased only by Rs 100 billion in the 1990s increased by Rs 400 billion to the current Rs 715 billion this year and said the day when it touches the one trillion mark is not far off.
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao termed the installation of the kiosks as a great stride ahead.
He said the day when President took over the people were disillusioned and depressed, but now the country has turned around and was marching ahead as a progressive and developing nation.
Brig. (Retd) Saleem Moeen said the online payment Kiosk was also designed to perform as electronic banking after proper authentication from biometric and online verification systems using the computerized national identity cards.
He said of the 240 installed machines, 140 were locally manufactured, while 100 were imported from China. However he said in the next phase all machines will be locally manufactured. He said all utility companies including WAPDA, Sui Northern and Sui Southern, PTCL and U-fone were linked to the system and can get quicker payments through its kiosks.
He said due to the nation-wide system, payment can be made by anyone, anytime anywhere in the country and can facilitate around 54 million CNIC holders.