NADRA opens a new Gulzar-e-Hijri center in Karachi with one-window counters, biometric support, and services for nearby citizens.
Key Takeaways
- NADRA has opened a new registration center in Karachi’s Gulzar-e-Hijri area.
- The facility can serve around 250 to 300 citizens daily through six counters.
- Separate counters have been arranged for Pak ID services and senior citizens.
- An iris device will help people facing fingerprint verification problems.
- The center is expected to benefit up to 1.5 million people from nearby areas.
Quick Details of the New NADRA Center
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Gulzar-e-Hijri, Karachi |
| Daily Capacity | Around 250 to 300 citizens |
| Counters | Six one-window counters |
| Special Facilities | Senior citizen counter, Pak ID counter, self-service counter |
| Biometric Support | Iris device for facial biometric verification |
| Beneficiary Areas | Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, Super Highway, Al-Asif and nearby areas |
New Center Opens in Gulzar-e-Hijri
The National Database and Registration Authority has opened a new registration center in Karachi’s Gulzar-e-Hijri area, giving residents another place to access important identity services. The move is aimed at reducing pressure on existing NADRA offices and making routine documentation easier for people living in the surrounding neighborhoods.
According to NADRA, the center was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with provincial assembly members Muhammad Adil Askari, Aamir Siddiqui, and Rao Shaukat. The opening reflects the growing need for more public service points in Karachi, where population pressure often leads to long queues at government offices.
Daily Capacity and One-Window Counters
The new center has six one-window counters and can handle about 250 to 300 visitors every day. This setup is designed to allow citizens to complete different stages of their work in a smoother way, instead of moving between multiple desks for basic processing.
NADRA has also added separate counters for Pak ID services and senior citizens. These dedicated arrangements can make the process easier for elderly applicants and people using online identity services. A self-service counter has also been placed at the facility, allowing citizens to process applications on their own where possible.
Biometric Support and Better Accessibility
One important feature of the new center is an iris device for facial biometric verification. This will support citizens who face fingerprint verification problems, which can happen because of age, manual labor, skin issues, or other reasons. The alternative biometric option can help reduce repeated visits and delays for such applicants.
The facility also includes wheelchair access and other arrangements for persons with disabilities. NADRA said a standby generator has been installed to provide uninterrupted power supply, while the waiting area has seating for around 100 people. These small but practical facilities can make a major difference for citizens who spend time waiting for documentation services. They also show why public offices need to be planned around comfort, accessibility, and reliability, especially in large busy cities where visitors may include elderly people, women with children, students, and daily-wage workers.
Areas Expected to Benefit
The new registration center is expected to serve around 1.2 million to 1.5 million citizens from Gulzar-e-Hijri, Jamali Bridge, Scheme 33, Super Highway, Al-Asif, and nearby localities. These areas have seen rapid population growth, creating higher demand for CNIC, family registration, and other identity-related services.
For many residents, a nearby center means shorter travel time and lower transport costs. It can also reduce crowding at other NADRA offices in Karachi. If managed properly, the new branch may become an important service point for families, students, workers, senior citizens, and people applying for different official documents.
Why the New Facility Matters for Citizens
NADRA services are essential for many daily and official matters in Pakistan, including CNIC renewal, family registration, identity verification, banking, education, employment, travel, and government assistance programs. When access is difficult, citizens often face delays in completing important personal and financial tasks.
The new Gulzar-e-Hijri center is therefore more than just another office. It is part of a wider need to make public services faster, more accessible, and more citizen-friendly. NADRA has also said an evening shift may be introduced if demand increases, which could further help working people and students who cannot visit during regular office hours.
