ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced a new platform called the National Sex Offenders Registry (NSOR) along with an SMS verification service, enabling citizens to identify individuals convicted of sex crimes against children and women.
The NSOR service aims to assist citizens and institutions across the country in identifying and tracking sexual offenders. It operates as a dynamic database of individuals convicted of sexual crimes, according to a news release issued on Saturday.
NADRA has established links with various law enforcement departments and provincial governments to ensure real-time updates to the registry.
This step aims to make the service more dynamic and responsive to the needs of institutions and the general public in preventing sexual abuse and violence. An SMS-based verification service will alert employers, citizens, and departments to be cautious of such culprits.
NADRA committed to eliminate sexual abuse
Tariq Malik, Chairman of NADRA, expressed his deep commitment to this initiative, emphasizing its significance in safeguarding children and women from sexual violence and abuse.
He announced that citizens can now use the service to verify the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number of individuals being hired for household chores, at colleges, mosques, universities, or any other employment to ensure they are not sexual offenders, have a clean record around children and women.
Chairman Malik further stated, “Preventing even a single instance of woman or child from sexual abuse is not only an act of protection but also a valuable investment in the future of our country.”
The main purpose of this service is to provide common citizens and institutions with easy access to information regarding sex offenders, particularly those who may likely pose a potential threat to children and women in local communities.
The information can be utilized to locate offenders, prevent future crimes, and make sure that they are held accountable for their actions.
To verify whether an individual is a convicted sex offender or not, citizens can send a 13-digit CNIC number to 7000 (SMS short code). Upon verification, the citizen will receive a reply in Urdu stating: “Beware! ABC son of XYZ is a convict. Don’t let him be around children and women.”
