Sindh seeks FBR, SBP aid to develop Mobile Registration System for needy

• The provincial government announces plans to use Cash App to cater needy in COVID-19 situation.
• The Sindh government has asked the federal government to provide them access to the data of the taxpayers, which is maintained by the FBR.

In order to facilitate needy persons during the coronavirus pandemic situation, the Government of Sindh intends to launch a Mobile Registration System to disburse cash among the needy.

The provincial government has also sought assistance from various federal government departments including the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) among others to provide their cooperation in this regard.

“The plan is to ensure all needy people who intend to use this facility and then get it verified by NADRA authorities, that only one person from a family gets the facility as there is a likelihood that whole family may register separately,” read a letter issued by the Government of Sindh Home Department.

The Sindh government has asked the federal government to provide them access to the data of the taxpayers, which is maintained by the FBR so that the applicants are filtered for financial assistance. The data related to tax is being requested to ensure transparency and efficiency in the system.

As per details, the provincial government has also requested access of data from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) related to the applicants that have traveled abroad excluding those who have traveled abroad for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.

Furthermore, Sindh has also requested the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to provide them access to check applicants’ accounts in order to facilitate the government for identification and registration of needy persons.

The intended system will have a mechanism similar to the ‘Jazz Cash Transfer.’