Along the same lines, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) contracted NADRA for implementation of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) for Pakistani citizens. Initiated in 2005, NADRA worked on this project and launched one of the best passports in the world, which had features such as integrated RFID, barcodes, Machine Readable zones and several security features.

"My primary role in this project was the biometrics integration and benchmark testing for AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and Facial detection systems. The MRP system was also integrated with NADRA CNIC database. Our experience of running NSRCs was also used at RPO (regional passport offices) where we helped DGIP implement swift and paperless passport registration centers."

"One of my main areas of focus was the implementation of advanced biometrics systems at NADRA. We chose US based Cogent Systems and France based Sagem for deep Software Development Kit (SDK) integration of biometric devices with our system. The result was that the camera or fingerprint scanner would not complete the scan unless our system confirmed that the quality of biometric data was good and searchable as per AFIS and facial recognition standards."

The fingerprint scanner would give live feedback on the screen and guide the customer on calibration by indicating the direction to move his or her finger for good data, and would automatically capture when the accurate scan was available. It would also detect if the same finger was scanned twice on the scanner and would refuse to accept that scan.

"This advanced biometrics allowed crime prevention and also located thousands of individuals who had made duplicate ID cards on different names."