The National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced the National Sex Offenders Registry (NSOR) platform along with an SMS verification system. The NSOR aids citizens and organisations in locating and following those who have been found guilty of sex offences against women and children. It is a dynamic database that creates connections with provincial governments and law enforcement agencies to guarantee real-time updates. This initiative’s goal is to stop sexual violence and abuse by offering a flexible and responsive service. The SMS verification service warns people to be wary of such criminals, as well as employers and departments.
This initiative is thought to be crucial in protecting women and children from sexual abuse and violence. Citizens can now use the service to verify the CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) numbers of individuals being hired or employed in various settings, ensuring they have a clean record and can be trusted around women and children. The purpose of this service is to create a culture of safety, protect the most vulnerable segments of society, prevent future crimes, and hold offenders accountable. By sending a CNIC number to a designated short code, citizens can verify if an individual is a convicted sex offender and receive a warning message if necessary.
The rules regarding how data will be issued or released or how people would know about this information would be formulated by the Special Committee. NADRA would be the custodian of this information. The Section 24 of the Anti-Rape (Prevention and Trial) Act, 2021 contains the relevant information:
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will be responsible for creating a register of sex offenders. Additionally, the Ministry of Law and Justice may prescribe rules, based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, for the release of register data to individuals, agencies, authorities, courts, or segments of society in the interest of public safety. Furthermore, the special committee has the power to instruct NADRA, the National Police Bureau, and forensic science laboratories to categorize sex offenders in the register. These measures aim to enhance the management and accessibility of sex offender information, ensuring the safety and welfare of the public.
The writer is a Senior Research Fellow at the School for Law and Development.
