Tariq Malik Named to Global Digital Infrastructure List
The former NADRA chairman has gained recognition for his advisory work on digital systems across two dozen countries.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
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Tariq Malik, the former chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), has been named to the Digital Public Infrastructure 50 list. The recognition follows his work advising more than two dozen countries on the implementation of large-scale digital systems.
Why it matters
The inclusion highlights the increasing global focus on interoperable digital public infrastructure and the role of veteran administrators in navigating these complex, multi-national rollouts. His selection by Apolitical and the World Economic Forum reflects a broader trend of elevating experts who manage the digital backbones of modern economies.
Malik has provided advisory services to more than 24 countries after serving as chairman of NADRA for two years. His professional background includes scrutiny from the National Accountability Bureau regarding the procurement of a $3.5 million iris recognition system.
The players
Tariq Malik
A digital systems advisor and former chairman of Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority.
Apolitical
A global platform providing research and professional networks for government workers and public service leaders.
World Economic Forum
An international non-governmental organization that facilitates cooperation between public and private sectors.
The details
Malik specializes in the architecture of national digital identity and public database systems. His advisory role involves helping governments scale digital public infrastructure, a critical operational component for managing citizen services and secure data access in emerging markets. This work often requires balancing rapid technological integration with stringent oversight requirements, a dynamic underscored by prior regulatory investigations into his past procurement processes.
Timeline
June 2023: Tariq Malik resigned as the chairman of NADRA.
2026: Malik was previously recognized on Okta's Identity 25 list.
September 2026: Malik was named to the Digital Public Infrastructure 50 list in New York.
Market Landscape
The Digital Public Infrastructure 50 list serves as a global benchmark for identifying the administrators driving national-scale tech rollouts. Malik's inclusion follows the pattern of established identity-tech benchmarks, such as his 2026 recognition by Okta.
Operators in the digital infrastructure space should watch the standards set by these 50 leaders as a proxy for upcoming global regulatory requirements. Expect advisory frameworks for database procurement to become more rigorous as international bodies standardize the vetting of digital architecture.
The takeaway
The rise of global digital infrastructure advisory roles suggests that technical procurement expertise is becoming a high-value commodity for developing nations. Business leaders should monitor the World Economic Forum's ongoing digital governance initiatives for new procurement standards and reporting requirements.
Further reading
For more on how leaders shape institutional policy, see our coverage of People.
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