The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has launched the National Sex Offenders Registry (NSOR) in Karachi, Pakistan, to aid citizens and organisations in identifying and monitoring sex offenders.

According to an official statement, the NSOR will be a dynamic database of convicted sexual offenders against children and women, with links established to various law enforcement agencies and provincial governments for real-time updates. The goal is to make the service more responsive to the needs of individuals and institutions in preventing sexual violence and abuse.

Furthermore, an SMS-based verification service will notify citizens, employers, and departments to exercise caution regarding such offenders.

Nighat Dad, a lawyer and advocate for digital rights, commended Nadra's initiative to launch the NSOR, stating that it would deter sexual offences. However, she also expressed concerns about the implementation of the newly-launched platform.

'While the Nadra initiative is praiseworthy, it raises questions about whether the system has been launched per any regulations, laws, or policies. While it will act as a deterrent, I'm concerned that without proper safeguards and protections, the platform might be misused,' said Dad.

The advocate emphasised the importance of having laws related to the NSOR to ensure that innocent individuals do not become victims of systemic biases or issues with the justice system.