In a bid to better serve the residents of Karachi, the government has decided to introduce passport services at two major NADRA centers, Express News has reported.
Citizens will soon be able to access passport-related services at the NADRA Mega Centre 5 Star Chowrangi and NADRA Mega Centre Siemens Chowrangi (SITE). This initiative aims to alleviate overcrowding at the central passport office by providing alternative locations for these services.
The decision was finalized following a visit to Karachi by Director General Passport Mustafa Jamal Qazi. During his visit, discussions focused on the integration of passport facilities within NADRA centers to enhance accessibility for the public.
Officials have also hinted at the expansion of this service to approximately 11 NADRA mega centers nationwide, including those in Karachi, as part of a broader effort to improve service delivery.
Previously, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made an unannounced visit to Karachi’s 24/7 Passport Office at Awami Markaz and the NADRA Defence Mega Centre. While interacting with applicants, Naqvi assessed the process for obtaining passports and ID cards. Many citizens commended the efficiency and smooth operation of the system.
Naqvi also assured the public that delays in passport issuance were being effectively addressed, with applicants now receiving their documents within the promised timelines. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving any remaining bottlenecks in the process.
In a related update, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, the Director General of Immigration and Passports, announced that the backlog of pending passport applications across the country had been cleared.
During a recent inspection of the passport production unit, the DG reviewed the processes for printing and distribution. He highlighted that since July 1, an unprecedented 3,376,510 passports had been printed. This included 776,451 in the normal category, 1,896,403 in the urgent category, and 703,656 in the fast-track category.
The DG attributed this success to the unwavering dedication and hard work of the production team, which ensured that the increasing demand was met efficiently. With the backlog now cleared, citizens have been advised to collect their passports directly from regional offices, as the notification process via email and SMS has been completed.
