The long-standing delays in passport issuance have been resolved, announced Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Passport Office in Islamabad.
Speaking at the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Passport Office in Islamabad, Naqvi stated that the modernisation of both NADRA and the Passport Office had significantly improved, a development that is expected to restore public trust in the institutions.
"We have eliminated the backlog of passport applications that once stretched up to six months, and now citizens can expect to receive their passports within the stipulated time frame," Naqvi said.
The minister emphasised that the solution to the recurring passport-related issues lies in the establishment of a Passport Authority.
While he acknowledged the need for this authority, Naqvi noted that its formation had been delayed due to the involvement of multiple departments.
However, he expressed hope that he would be able to turn the Passport Office into a fully operational authority shortly.
"The lack of authority has prevented citizens from receiving their due salaries for two years, and only by eliminating bureaucratic red tape can we offer a more efficient service," he added.
In a bid to further ease the process, Naqvi announced that 24-hour passport counters would soon be available in 14 to 16 cities across Pakistan. These counters will offer round-the-clock services, ensuring that citizens can access passports at their convenience.
"Immediate 24-hour services are now available at the Islamabad Passport Office, and we are in discussions to establish similar model offices in Lahore and Karachi," Naqvi stated.
He also revealed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is conducting a large-scale crackdown against the mafia operating outside passport offices, with plans to intensify these efforts to eliminate the illegal operations.
