Budget 2016 proposes a special purpose company under the Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) 'to bring about sharing of telecommunication resources efficiently and to protect air waves and the environment.'

According to experts, digitalised information, telecommunications, ICT are interrelated matters.

Under the Registration Of Persons Act (No. 32 of 1968), the Department of Registration of Persons is tasked with the registration of persons and the issue of National Identity Cards.

The new IDs will incorporate blood group and family details as well as biometric data such as fingerprints.

According to reports, the digitalisation of data collected has been tasked to Pakistan's NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) via a Tender process that had taken place while the Rajapaksa regime was in power.

It is said that the technology used by NADRA originates from the US.

Experts in the field and analysts warn that handing over data concerning the privacy of a country's citizens to a foreign firm poses high risks.