The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has shut down several of its service centers across Punjab as heavy monsoon rains and flooding continue to paralyze daily life in the province.
In an advisory issued Thursday, the authority cited public and staff safety as the main reason for the closures, saying the facilities will remain shut “until further notice” while conditions are assessed.
Punjab Closures: Districts Affected
The suspended centers span multiple districts, including:
- Vanike Tarar, Hafizabad, and Jalalpur Bhattian (Hafizabad district)
- 18 Hazari (Jhang)
- Ahmad Nagar (Chiniot)
- Midh Ranjha (Sargodha)
- Kari Sharif (Gujrat)
- Kotli Loharan, Syedpur, Khidmat Markaz (Sialkot)
- Depalpur (Okara)
With these branches closed, residents are being urged to visit nearby operational facilities. NADRA has also dispatched mobile registration vans to surrounding areas to handle the increased demand for services like CNIC issuance, renewals, and family certificates.
Mobile Registration Goes Global
In a separate development, NADRA is extending its outreach overseas with a Mobile Registration Drive in the United Kingdom starting August 30, 2025.
Pakistani nationals living abroad will be able to access services such as CNIC and NICOP renewals as well as Family Registration Certificates at the following locations:
- Blackburn (Manchester): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sheffield (Bradford): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Applicants have been advised to bring their old CNICs or B-Forms to ensure smooth processing.
Context: Flood Disruptions and Digital Gaps
The move highlights the fragility of Pakistan’s civic services in the face of climate-driven disasters. Punjab’s road network and infrastructure have been severely impacted by flooding this monsoon season, forcing government agencies like NADRA to rely more heavily on mobile and digital solutions to maintain essential services.
The UK drive, meanwhile, reflects the growing demand for government outreach to Pakistan’s over 1.6 million-strong diaspora in Britain, many of whom face difficulties accessing documentation without making costly trips back home.
