Former NADRA chief Tariq Malik named among 50 global leaders shaping digital public infrastructure

Former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) chairman Tariq Malik was named among the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) 50, a global list recognising people working to shape the future of digital public infrastructure. The list was launched by Apolitical in collaboration with the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on GovTech and DPI on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Malik said he was “humbled” by the recognition and described himself as “a student” and “a lifelong learner”. “My journey with digital identity and public infrastructure has taken me from Pakistan to Malawi and across continents, over the years, to advising more than two dozen countries,” he said in a LinkedIn post. He said his experience had reinforced his belief that Digital Public Infrastructure was ultimately not about technology but “people, trust and the relationship between a citizen and the state”. “Every country has taught me something. Every implementation has challenged an assumption,” Malik said. He said the next generation of DPI would raise harder questions around sovereignty, artificial intelligence, privacy and inclusion. “We will need to remain students of these changes and, above all, students of the people these systems are meant to serve,” he said. The DPI 50 recognition followed Malik being named among Okta’s Identity 25 earlier in 2026, according to his LinkedIn post. In a separate post on X, Malik said he had attended Digital Collaboration Day in New York, where he discussed the future of artificial intelligence. #Science illuminates the path, #Policy sets the guardrails, & #CapacityBuilding ensures no one is left behind. Honored to be at the #DigitalCollaborationDay in NYC discussing the future of #AI We aren't just building #technology ; we are building a global ecosystem @ODET_UN @UN… pic.twitter.com/ZKlj4mOIXH — Tariq Malik ™ (@ReplyTariq) September 21, 2026 “Science illuminates the path, policy sets the guardrails, and capacity building ensures no one is left behind,” he said. “We aren't just building technology; we are building a global ecosystem,” Malik added. Who is Tariq Malik Malik previously served as NADRA chairman, a position he resigned from in June 2023, after leading NADRA for approximately two years. His resignation came while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was investigating the procurement of NADRA’s Iris recognition system. NAB had summoned Malik over procurement records relating to the system, including $3.5 million in payments, the PC-1, tenders and newspaper advertisements. In his resignation letter, Malik cited what he called a “politically charged and polarised environment” as a growing obstacle to his work at NADRA. He said it was difficult for professionals to maintain their integrity and independence in an environment where political loyalty was privileged over competence. Malik later told The Express Tribune that there was “no pressure on me and any such impression is wrong”. He also said he intended to remain in Pakistan to complete projects associated with the United Nations. Malik continued working in digital identity and public infrastructure after leaving NADRA. He said his work had included advising more than two dozen countries and working with governments and public institutions on digital systems.