ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Passports and Immigration (DGPI) is mulling over enhanced cooperation with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to offer easier and more comprehensive services to citizens in relation to their passports.
A proposal is being considered to integrate the passport facilities with Pak ID Platform of NADRA. The police are also looking to set up passport facilitation counters at the NADRA offices throughout Pakistan, including those in remote areas without dedicated passport offices.
DG Passports Holds Meeting With NADRA Officials
Under the chairmanship of Director General Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa, an important meeting was held.
The meeting was attended by relevant authorities from NADRA and Directorate General of Passports and Immigration, during which the authorities discussed the enhancement of the facilities available to the citizens when applying for a new passport or renewal of the existing passport.
The discussion was mainly on the increased adoption of modern technology, the coordination between the two institutions and how to improve the passport services.
Pak ID Integration Could Simplify Passport Services
As per the proposed package, the process and services of the passport might be linked with Pak ID of NADRA.
The primary aim of this is to give citizens more access to online services and make it less necessary to visit government offices at various stages of the passport application process.
There is relevant data and identification documents available and it could also help to ease and accelerate some of the procedures required for a passport as done by NADRA now maintains the citizens’ identification records, subject to the final technical and legal framework.
Passport Counters May Be Established at NADRA Offices
The meeting also explored the possibility of leveraging NADRA’s vast network across the country for enhanced access to passport services.
The proposal suggested to set up passport facilitation counters in various offices of NADRA throughout the country. This may enable passport services to be closer to citizens’ homes particularly in places where separate passport offices are not currently available.
It will also help ease pressure on existing passport offices and reduce workload at these offices.
Digital Services and Secure Data Sharing Discussed
Several proposals to enhance the overall system of digital passports were also discussed.
The discussions included:
- Integration of selected passport services with Pak ID
- Secure data sharing between NADRA and passport authorities
- Simplification of online application procedures
- Possible passport facilitation counters at NADRA offices
- Improved transparency and efficiency
- Greater use of digital technology for citizen services
Citizens who use both ID and passport-related services will likely benefit from a more streamlined system as a result of the proposed integration.
Final Decision Still Pending
Right now, officials from both institutions are looking into the technical, administrative and legal issues of implementing the proposed system.
The ultimate mechanism, however, has yet to be announced, and neither have the site locations of potential passport counters been announced, nor has it been clarified what services may be provided at NADRA locations.
Further consultation and approval has to be done to implement the proposals.
A possible integration with Pak ID platform of NADRA for the passport services may be a crucial more towards increase in digital government services in Pakistan. Upon approval, the program could enable citizens to use additional facilities on the passport online as well as perhaps in NADRA offices near their residences.
