Lahore gets three new passport offices

LAHORE: As part of the ongoing efforts to streamline the passport issuing process and to end the backlog, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated three new passport offices in Lahore.

In a post to his official X account on Saturday, the minister said, “Alhamdulillah, launched passport issuance services at three NADRA Mega Centers: Peco Road, Shimla Pahari, and Sanda Road, Lahore. Inspected the process, met citizens, and directed staff for swift service. These centers will operate in two shifts till 11 PM. However, Shimla Pahari counters will operate 24/7.”

After inaugurating the new passport office on Peco Road, Naqvi also reviewed the process of obtaining passports and met with the citizens who were applying for passports.

The citizens appreciated the minister for such an excellent initiative, saying that they received excellent facilities so far yet will obtain their passports with more ease and comfort onward.

The minister also met with the staff present at the passport counters, and received a briefing about the operations. The DG Passport, DG NADRA Lahore, and relevant officials were also present on the occasion.

It is important to note that the passport offices at the NADRA Center on Peco Road, and Sanda Road will operate in 2 shifts, allowing citizens to apply for passports until 11 PM. The passport office at Shimla Pahari will operate 24/7.

Last month, Naqvi inaugurated a new immigration and passport office in Islamabad in a bid to make sure the timely issuance of passports to citizens.

On the occasion, Naqvi said, “In the past, there was a backlog of up to six months in the passport office. However, now the public is being well-served in these offices. The government is trying to form a Passport and Immigration Authority.”

He had also emphasised the need to establish a model office in Lahore as well.

NADRA offices in 14 to 16 cities of the country are already operational around the clock. With the new office, now the citizens will get passports and identity cards soon, the interior minister said.

Reiterating the importance of facilitating people in getting their passports and identity cards, the interior minister also warned of action against ‘agent mafia’ in passport office.

He informed that the Federal Investigation Agency is cracking down on ‘agent mafia’ often seen lurking outside passport offices.