Significant steps have been achieved in the digital transformation of the national passport system.
A spokesperson for the Passport Department stated that the Director General (DG) of Immigration and Passports chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on the initiative.
During the meeting, officials agreed to adopt advanced technologies to upgrade passport services and enhance convenience for citizens.
The DG also directed authorities to speed up the passport issuance process while maintaining a high level of transparency, the spokesperson said.
These improvements are intended to reduce delays and make the application process more efficient through modern digital systems.
Why are passport applications declining?
Due to the recent conflict and the situation in the middle east, the number of people applying for passports at the passport offices have been decreased by 50 per cent.
According to the reports by a private media channel, across Sindh including Karachi the number of people applying for passports has dropped by 50 per cent.
This decline is not just in the number of new passports but the decline has also been seen in passport renewals. Due to this the revenue has been strictly affected.
According to the sources the reason why passport applications are being reduced is linked to the reduced issuance of work visas as well as tourist visas.
In Karachi only, the number of visa applicants have dropped from 2000 applications a day to 800-900 applications a day.
Read more: E-passport service for overseas Pakistanis launched in Jeddah
The decrease has also been seen in other cities of the Sindh province. The decrease is from 3000 applicants daily to 1200 to 1500 applicants in a day.
It is important to mention that the purpose of issuance of a Pakistani passport is so that the citizens of Pakistan can travel internationally. The document is able to verify Pakistani nationality and an individual’s identity.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, a branch of the Ministry of Interior, is responsible for issuing passports. Generally, ordinary and official passports are issued.
The validity of a passport is 5 or 10 years, and for children under 15 years of age, a 5-year passport is issued.
Machine-readable passports are more secure and modern. Passport applications can be submitted online or at a consulate. Without a passport, international travel is impossible.
Also read: Pakistani passport holders to get big relief, details here
