Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday appreciated the efforts by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the ongoing development of a software that will empower overseas Pakistanis with the ability to vote in elections.
Presided by the chief justice, a three - member bench of the Supreme Court was hearing a case regarding the 16 petitions it had accepted on January 5.
The petitions, filed by members of civil society, had appealed that the state set up appropriate infrastructure so that overseas Pakistanis - estimated to be at least eight million - can cast their vote in Pakistan's elections.
During Monday's hearing, NADRA Chairman Usman Mobin told the court that "the matter [development of a software] has been brought under discussion with the ECP. "
"Work is underway on the software's development, " he said. "It can [already] be tested on an experimental basis in mock elections and will be ready by the start of April. "
At this, the chief justice said: "This is a very good news given by NADRA's chairman. He has given a very reasonable 10 - week deadline. "
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