In an effort to bring citizen services right to people’s doorsteps, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has introduced the mobile “biker service” in Karachi. This initiative is set to reshape how Pakistanis access essential document services.
What Is the Biker Service?
Launched in early January 2025, the service deploys trained NADRA riders on motorcycles, equipped with portable processing tools. They can visit homes to help residents with CNIC renewal, updates, and other ID services—painting a mark of convenience for those dodging the lines at NADRA centers.
Initially, just three bikes are operating in Karachi. However, plans are underway to expand the fleet to 13 bikes, with additional launches coming soon in Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas.
Service Hours and Fees
The bikers operate Monday through Friday, 8–9 am to 5–7 pm, ensuring availability during regular working hours. To use the service, citizens pay an extra Rs 1,000—broken down into Rs 825 for service and Rs 175 for document delivery.Those wanting to apply for a new CNIC still need to visit a NADRA office; the biker service is designed for renewals and updates only.
Why It Matters
Crowded NADRA offices and long wait times burden many—particularly the elderly, working professionals, and those with mobility challenges. The biker service addresses this issue head-on, taking key services directly to people’s homes.
Moreover, freeing up office space helps NADRA speed up in-person services and reduces overall crowding. The service is even designed to be gender-sensitive, including female riders to assist women applicants comfortably.
Part of a Larger Digital Push
The biker service aligns with NADRA’s broader modernization plan. The authority is phasing out its old website in favor of a more secure—and fraud-resistant—mobile app. Additionally, 24/7 passport counters have been introduced at major NADRA centers nationwide.
How to Use It
- Call the NADRA helpline at 111‑786‑100 or 7000.
- Book an appointment, specifying address and required service.
- Home Visit: The biker arrives and manages biometrics, photos, and paperwork.
- Delivery: Your updated CNIC arrives at your door once ready.
Public Response
Karachi residents have responded positively, viewing the service as a step forward. Many appreciate the convenience, noting how taking service to citizens acknowledges their time and mobility concerns.
While the service is still in its early days, public enthusiasm signals a desire for more user-friendly, responsive public services.
What Lies Ahead
NADRA plans to scale the service to Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, and beyond once Karachi’s rollout stabilizes. The authority envisions similar solutions emerging for remote and under-served neighborhoods across Pakistan, setting a precedent for doorstep citizen services.
Final Take
NADRA has taken a refreshing leap forward while launching a mobile biker service in Karachi that can help reduce the burden of obtaining identity services. NADRA’s initiative shows a contemporary citizen-first approach, simplicity, and ingenuity to delivering efficient services at a citizen’s convenience, and direct to their doorstep. If the initiative is successful in Karachi, Pakistan could be step into a new era in public service delivery.
