First-ever ‘Cascade’ center established in Islamabad to facilitate foreign nationals
ISLAMABAD: In a bid to provide a range of essential services to the diplomatic community and foreign nationals under one roof, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday inaugurated the state-of-the-art “Cascade” service center in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave.
This is the first time that such a comprehensive service center has been established in the history of the Diplomatic Enclave, aligning with the government’s focus on enhancing the convenience and safety of diplomats and foreign residents.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the interior minister said that the Cascade service center will offer over a dozen services for foreign nationals and diplomats, eliminating the need for them to navigate multiple offices across the capital. Among the services available are the issuance and renewal of driving licenses, character certificates, police verification, reporting of missing persons, and tenant registration. These services are expected to significantly ease administrative processes for diplomats and international visitors, providing them with faster, centralized access to essential resources.
Furthermore, the center will also facilitate foreign citizens by offering additional services like registration for foreigners, domestic staff, and volunteers, vehicle verification, and access to copies of first information reports (FIRs).
Interior Minister Naqvi emphasised that these services are intended to streamline processes and improve the overall experience for foreign nationals residing in or visiting Islamabad.
“This service center is a reflection of our commitment to creating a secure, welcoming environment for diplomats and international visitors,” Naqvi added.
He added that the initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prioritise the comfort and security of foreign representatives.
The minister also shared that over 1,500 police and FC personnel, along with 20 dedicated police vehicles, are stationed at the Diplomatic Enclave to ensure the highest standards of security.
In his address, Naqvi stated, “Beautifying the Diplomatic Enclave and the entire capital is part of our mission, as we look to project Islamabad as a modern, secure, and visitor-friendly capital.”
The new service center aims not only to provide essential services but also to foster closer coordination and cooperation between law enforcement and diplomats.
Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) provided a detailed briefing on the range of services available to foreign nationals at the center, further highlighting the effort to ensure ease of access to these resources.
Following the inauguration, the minister, accompanied by a delegation of diplomats, visited the various service counters at the Cascade center.
He expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure, expressing confidence that the center would serve as a model of efficiency and service delivery.
