ISLAMABAD: Citizens will soon be able to access the E-Passport facility at NADRA centres across Pakistan.
The service will become available from September 7, according to a NADRA spokesperson. The move is expected to make passport services more accessible.
Citizens will be able to apply for E-Passport renewals at NADRA centres. They will also be able to request reprints of their existing e-passports.
The facility will cover NADRA centres in major cities, including Karachi. Citizens in other parts of the country will also have access to the service.
However, some passport services will remain available only through passport offices. These include applications for new e-passports and amendments.
The issuance of new machine-readable passports will also remain under passport offices. NADRA centres will therefore handle a limited range of passport-related services.
Passport counters currently operating at NADRA offices will gradually be closed. Staff working at these counters will also be recalled.
The expansion follows an agreement between the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports and NADRA. The arrangement aims to improve access to modern passport services.
The E-Passport is designed with advanced security and identification features. It contains an electronic chip that stores the holder’s biometric information.
The chip also contains important personal information linked to the passport holder. These features support faster and more secure identity verification.
The electronic passport follows standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These international standards are used to improve passport security and travel verification.
The passport also includes an NFC chip. It features laser engraving and additional infrared and ultraviolet security elements.
These technologies can help authorities verify passenger identities more efficiently. They are particularly useful during security checks at international airports.
The new facility is expected to reduce the need for citizens to visit passport offices. It will provide another point for selected passport services across the country.
However, applicants will still need to visit passport offices for services excluded from the NADRA facility. These include new passport issuance and amendments.
The expansion marks another step toward improving digital identity and travel documentation services in Pakistan. Citizens can access the relevant service according to their passport requirements.
The E-Passport system combines electronic identification with enhanced security features. Its wider availability through NADRA centres is expected to simplify selected services.
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Citizens are advised to check the specific service available at their nearest NADRA centre. They should also follow official requirements before visiting the centre.
