The Nation:

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has designed an automated system for financial institutions and telecom operators for branchless banking with currency transactions of e-Sahulat touch points.

NADRA Technologies Ltd (NTL) has designed an automated system.NTL here on Wednesday signed an agreement with Bank Alfalah on the joint project of e-Sahulat Branchless Banking.

Under the agreement, NADRA will act as super agent of Bank Alfalah offering them their e-Sahulat outlets for Branchless Banking activities. Deputy Chairman said the e-Sahulat is a secured commercial platform for money transactions with its best automated technology solution.

“An average 7 million transactions are being executed monthly through public-private partnership with NADRA’s expertise and infrastructure, he added.

NADRA Technologies is in process of transforming this platform into National Smart Service Platform for e-commerce where organizations can utilize as e-Sahulat touch points for cash in and cash out transactions. This arrangement will help commercial banks and telecom operators to extend branchless banking concept through e-Sahulat without any further infrastructural expenditure while saving Capital and Operational costs, thus creating a Win-Win situation for all parties.

It is expected that the technology will facilitate a significant section of public especially in rural areas to carry out branchless banking activities and will meet the government objective to spread the branchless banking outreach to unbanked and poor of the poor population.

The e-Sahulat scheme was launched in May 2008. Since then, it has been gaining popularity in urban and rural areas for transaction of miscellaneous payments such as utility bills, cell phone balance recharge, etc.

Besides, it has provided business opportunities for many educated unemployed people with very minimal and affordable investment.