The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) have forged a significant alliance to implement biometric verification services for property transfers.
The RDA’s governing body approved this pivotal agreement in a meeting chaired by Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatha.
Additionally, the meeting endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the civic authority and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to introduce the e-filing and office automation system (EFOAS), making biometric verifications mandatory for all property transactions.
Key attendees included DG RDA, Mohammad Saif Anwar Jappa, the WASA chief, officials from the Finance Department, the deputy commissioner’s office, and other dignitaries. Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha expressed optimism about the NADRA-RDA agreement, emphasizing its role in ensuring the transparent transfer of properties.
He commended the authority’s strategic move toward implementing EFOAS, acknowledging its efficiency in managing daily official tasks and facilitating a transition to a paperless office environment within the public sector. Notably, EFOAS is poised to provide 24/7 digital access to all official correspondence, enhancing administrative processes.
In a bid to boost revenue generation, the meeting approved the reserve prices of billboards and the RDA parking plaza, as determined by the price assessment committee. The civic body anticipates a substantial 100% increase in revenue as a result of these measures.
Furthermore, the meeting raised no objections to a recent decision by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) transferring the processing of housing schemes and commercial buildings within Islamabad’s boundaries, as identified by the Survey of Pakistan, to the federal authority.
As a positive step, the RDA has committed to providing refunds for building plan fees currently under review, signaling a commitment to efficient and collaborative governance practices. This strategic alignment between the RDA, NADRA, and PITB underscores a concerted effort to enhance transparency, efficiency, and revenue streams in property transactions, reflecting a progressive approach to governance and public service.