Following instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) is preparing to launch passport counters at its branches in 30 tehsils nationwide, a Sunday notification reveals.
On March 1, the Prime Minister ordered simplifying the procedures for acquiring CNICs and passports for the populace. During a meeting in Islamabad, he instructed the establishment of passport counters at Nadra locations. He also stressed that any approved projects for passport office establishment should be integrated with existing Nadra premises.
The “passport counter” service will be exclusive to tehsils or sub-tehsils without a current passport office.
The Nadra passport counters will be distributed across various regions, including 12 in the Lahore region, 2 in Karachi, 6 in Multan, 2 in Sargodha, 4 in KP, and 2 in Islamabad.
In a press briefing in Rawalpindi, Passport Director General Yawar Hussain announced that the Passport and Immigration Department would operate the one-window passport counters at Nadra. He stressed that these special counters are designed to aid citizens and streamline the passport application process.
“Nadra will impose an Rs1,000 charge per passport, in addition to the standard government fees,” Hussain clarified the cost details for the new passport counters. He also debunked rumors about all Nadra branches beginning to issue passports on June 10.
By opening passport offices in these districts, the government hopes to make passport services readily accessible, eliminating the need for lengthy travel.
Last November, the DGIP unveiled an online passport fee app, allowing citizens to pay fees without enduring long bank lines.
This service, part of the ‘Passport Fee Asaan’ initiative, is one of many planned by the government. Initially offered in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, the online payment facility was due to launch in Karachi but was activated nationwide before its proposed launch in the financial hub.
For the online process, successful fee payment will trigger email and SMS notifications for citizens, serving as proof at the passport office.
