ISLAMABAD: The government has reduced the processing time for normal passports from 21 days to just 14 days. Along with this change, the government has also implemented a complete cashless system at passport offices across the country.
According to local media reports, the new regulations have been introduced to streamline the passport application process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. Under the new system, applicants will no longer be required to make cash payments at passport offices. Instead, all payments must be made electronically, eliminating the need for physical cash transactions.
The government has also announced plans to introduce a business-category passport, and work on the preparation for its rollout has already begun. In addition, efforts are underway to make the home delivery system for passports more effective, allowing citizens to receive their passports at their doorstep.
The introduction of this cashless system would be able to solve the problem of the agent mafia, which had always been a major issue when obtaining passports. With no more cash involved in the procedure, this practice can be done away with by the government.
It is also stated that the passport offices must implement this system fully within 15 days.
Passport applications drop by 50% amid Middle East turmoil
Earlier, the ongoing situation in the Middle East has caused a significant decline in passport applications across Pakistan, with offices in Karachi and Sindh seeing a 50% reduction in the number of applicants.
According to ARY News, passport offices in Karachi and other places in Sindh have reported that there has been a sudden fall in the number of applicants looking to apply for passports in the region. On a daily basis, the number of applications has dropped from 2,000 applicants per day in Karachi to just between 800 and 900 applicants, whereas other offices in other parts of Sindh experience between 1,200 and 1,500 applications compared to 3,000 earlier.
There are various reasons that have led to this situation; however, one of the main ones is the reduction in the number of work and tourist visas issued. Moreover, the total earnings for passport issuance have also been affected.
Sources have noted that with the falling number of visa applications, especially work and tourism, there are few people who opt to apply for a passport. Therefore, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport, responsible for issuing Pakistani passports, has experienced such a trend.
