PM APPROVES RS. 90 MILLION FOR VERIFICATION OF THUMB IMPRESSION

Islamabad: May 21, 2013

Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has approved an amount of Rs. 90 million to National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the purchase of software and hardware for verification of thumb impressions.

The Prime Minister has further directed NADRA to ensure its procurement and operationalise the facility within the next ten days.

It would be pertinent to mention here that NADRA duly supported by the Election Commission of Pakistan had approached the Prime Minister Secretariat for purchase of software and hardware for verification of thumb impressions.

In order to expedite the installation of the state of the art facility to verify the thumb impressions, the Prime Minister has also permitted NADRA to process the software and necessary equipment though negotiated purchase under Rule 42 (d)(ii) of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules. This would allow NADRA to negociate with the manufacturers directly and save time and money.

The decision reflects the commitment of the Caretaker Government and the departments working under it to take all possible measures to ensure sanctity of vote and transparency in elections by establishing forensic capabilities to assist dispute resolution, if any.

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