24-hour passport counters established at NADRA mega centres

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24-hour passport counters have been set up at NADRA Mega Centres across the country.

In compliance with the orders of Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, the Passport Department has established 10 passport processing counters at National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Mega Centres in Karachi's Nazimabad and Site areas, specifically at Siemens Chowrangi. Citizens can now avail of services at these counters around the clock.

According to Director-General of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, the 24-hour passport processing counters will be expanded nationwide. The Islamabad office has already been operating 24/7.

Karachi's Awami Markaz and Lahore's Garden Town offices are now open 24/7 for citizens. The delay in passport issuance has been fully addressed, ensuring a smooth and timely process for applicants.

Earlier, the government made this decision to reduce congestion at the central passport office by providing alternative centres for passport services.

The initiative was finalised during the recent visit of Director General Passport Mustafa Jamal Qazi to Karachi, where the plan to establish passport offices at NADRA centres was discussed.

Previously, during a surprise visit to Karachi's 24/7 Passport Office at Awami Markaz and the NADRA Defence Mega Centre, Naqvi interacted with applicants for passports and ID cards. He inquired about the process, and citizens expressed satisfaction, praising the system's efficiency.

The Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, assured that delays in passport issuance were being resolved, with citizens now receiving their passports within the stipulated time frame.

On this occasion, Naqvi reiterated that delays in issuing passports were being addressed and assured of timely delivery.

NADRA will introduce a new facial recognition feature at its centres nationwide and within its mobile app from January 15, aimed at assisting citizens unable to undergo biometric verification through fingerprints.

Stakeholders from various sectors will gather at the NADRA headquarters in a consultative conference on Friday to discuss ways to enhance the biometric and identity verification system.

According to a NADRA spokesperson, the conference, which will include regulators and officials from relevant institutions, will focus on the challenges of identity verification and the steps the authority will have taken to improve service delivery for both regulators and citizens.