ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is considering offering p applications and related processing at selected NADRA Registration Centres, a plan that could bring two of the country’s most heavily used public services onto a shared physical and digital network.
Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa discussed the proposal with NADRA Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar during a meeting at NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad. Senior officials from both organisations reviewed potential passport modules for NADRA centres and possible integration with the Pak-ID mobile application.
The proposal could allow citizens to access identity and passport services through the same government network. That would reduce visits to separate offices, extend passport facilities into areas without dedicated passport centres and ease pressure on existing locations.
NADRA Passport Services Under Review
Officials have not approved a nationwide rollout, named the participating NADRA centres or announced a launch date. The two agencies must still settle the technical, administrative, security and policy requirements before they introduce the service.
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The talks focused on digital applications, secure information exchange, mobile services and stronger coordination between NADRA and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports. Both teams also discussed reforms aimed at reducing processing delays and making government services easier to track.
Randhawa said the government wants modern technology and closer institutional cooperation to deliver services that meet international standards.
Pak-ID could become a passport application gateway
The Pak-ID proposal carries the greatest potential for consumers. NADRA already uses the application to handle several identity-document services, giving the agency an existing digital platform and a large base of registered citizens.
Adding passport functions could allow applicants to submit personal information, identity records, photographs and supporting documents remotely. The supplied information does not confirm whether the application would support first-time passports, renewals or both.
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Randhawa previously said officials had considered either developing a dedicated passport application or expanding Pak-ID to accept passport submissions. He said applicants could upload old passports and photographs and receive email notifications if officials required additional documents. Dawn
Digital submission would not necessarily eliminate every physical visit. Passport authorities may still require applicants to complete biometric verification, document checks or other security procedures in person. Officials have not explained how the proposed system would divide those tasks between the application, NADRA centres and passport offices.
The project would also require strict controls around data access. NADRA maintains Pakistan’s national identity database, while the passport directorate manages travel-document applications and issuance. Any shared system would need clear permissions, secure interfaces and auditable records to prevent unauthorised access or duplication.
Government already operates a limited joint-service model
Pakistan would not start this arrangement from scratch. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports currently lists 24-hour passport processing at selected NADRA Mega Centres in Karachi and Lahore. Those counters provide a practical model for a wider partnership, although the government has not said whether the latest proposal would replicate them or introduce a different service structure. Directorate General of Immigration and Passports
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced in December 2024 that the government planned to activate passport counters at 14 NADRA Mega Centres. He presented the plan as part of a broader effort to improve passport delivery and reduce congestion at government offices. Press Information Department
The new discussions appear to go beyond counters. Integration with Pak-ID could connect online applications, identity verification and in-person processing through one service chain.
That approach could deliver the biggest gains outside major urban centres. NADRA operates a much broader public-facing network than the passport directorate, giving it the physical reach to serve districts where citizens currently travel long distances for passport processing.
A shared network could also reduce opportunities for unofficial agents who profit from confusing procedures and crowded offices. Clear fee schedules, digital status updates and standard processing rules would determine whether the programme actually delivers that benefit.