Pakistan - Afghanistan Border Biometrics: Challenges Ahead

As is frequently the case, the challenges aren't technical (Dawn.com - Pakistan)

WHILE reviving the biometric system on the border with Afghanistan may be a welcome move, one hopes that the interior minister, who has said the screening process will start on Nov 30, is aware of the difficulties involved. Introduced in January 2007 at Chaman, the system was not welcomed by Afghan nationals, who attacked the border gates in protest. The arrangement had to be called off because the Kabul government, too, did not cooperate. Whether or not the scheme works this time will depend on the level of Pakistan`s determination to go ahead with it despite the odds.

The article advances a one-sided Pakistani point of view but it's sufficient to illustrate an important point. Biometric ID management systems can produce great results in a functioning bilateral relationship; they can't compensate for the lack of such a relationship.