Passport chaos hits Pakistan - delays spark National Assembly debate
Lawmakers demand action as citizens face prolonged wait reports of low printing capacity
Lahore: Passport delays chaos has hit Pakistanis both inside and outside the country.
Pakistani expatriates living in the Gulf region are the most hit as they face residence visa fines, job termination and bank account blockage due to long delays in renewing their passports. There are reports that patients seeking medical attention abroad could not travel while students who are planning to go abroad for studies are also hard hit due to this inordinate delay in fixing the issue. It takes not less then four to six month for renewal of passport with normal fee and at least two to three months with urgent fee.
Nothing has changed so far even after the issue was escalated to the National Assembly of Pakistan this week. The problem has prompted a strong response from lawmakers, with Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar addressing the concerns.
Government response
Minister Tarar acknowledged the delays and outlined the government's plans to improve the situation. He reported that the daily demand for passports has surged to 44,000, while the current output is between 25,000 and 26,000. The government is updating its software, aiming to increase the daily issuance to 60,000 by September.
Current challenges
Some media reports suggests that the passport office has been struggling with shortages of black ink necessary for printing, leading to severe delays.
However, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, Director General of Immigration and Passports, has rubbished reports of shortage of ink being the cause of passport delays.
In a statement on X, he said that there is no shortage of ink but rather passport office was trying to precure extra ink for future use.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was asked to expedite the clearance of an ink shipment, but payment issues have stalled this process. Consequently, many citizens are facing extended wait times, some up to six months, instead of the promised 21 days.
Urgent cases
The delays are affecting a wide range of individuals, from patients needing urgent medical treatment abroad to students and workers seeking visas. Despite paying urgent fees (which is more than double the normal fee), many applicants have been waiting months for their passports, exacerbating their frustration and highlighting the need for reforms.
— Directorate General Immigration & Passports (@DGIPofficial) February 13, 2024
Personal stories highlighting the crisis
The delays have led to significant personal hardships. Abdullah, a mechanical engineering graduate, missed a job interview in Qatar due to delays in passport renewal. Imran Shehzad, a lecturer, missed an opportunity to present at a U.S. conference due to the same issue. Kashif, a student, faces jeopardised educational plans due to prolonged processing times.
Shehryar missed a business trip to the UAE because of the delays, he also had to carry important export stuff with him to the UAE, which would have eventually benefitted Pakistanis. Taimoor, last year student, missed his uncle's funeral - which leaves a lasting impact on his memory regarding the passport office.
Official intervention
A source at the passport office in Lahore revealed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of the crisis. During his recent visit to the UK, Naqvi directed that steps be taken to ensure the timely delivery of passports.