A delay in government funding for a crucial passport printing machine has left more than 800,000 people in Pakistan waiting for their passports, creating a significant backlog. The Passport and Immigration Department, despite generating around PKR 50 to 51 billion annually, has been unable to meet the growing demand due to the unavailability of a new advanced machine.
According to department officials, the Finance Division has yet to release the PKR 2.9 billion required for the machine, despite the tender being finalized and an order placed. This bureaucratic delay has slowed down the department’s processing capability.
Currently, they are receiving 72,000 to 75,000 applications daily but can only process 22,000, leaving a large number of applicants in limbo. Director General of Passport and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi addressed the situation, stating that around 700,000 to 800,000 passports have been issued, but the backlog continues to grow as new applications flood in daily.
The department remains hopeful that if the funds are released promptly, the new machine could become operational by next month, doubling their current production capacity to 40,000 to 42,000 passports daily.
Officials stressed that resolving this issue soon is critical, as import restrictions and other bureaucratic challenges continue to hinder operations. They aim to clear the backlog by November or December, providing relief to those waiting for machine-readable and e-passports.
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I hardly ever come across a positive news item these days. Now why can’t the government print passport copies? Why not? Does the government want to stop people from leaving the country? Why? People should be allowed to go abroad so that they can send back dollars, which is the only thing the government wants.
Why not the department was gradually updated / increased the production capacity in respect to time in routine?
because they are corrupt. They have their own center in G-8 Islamabad where green passport holders are not allowed. This center is only for blue passport of Pakistan which is for top govt officials.
Awaam jaye bhaarh mein, bus tax bharo.
Punish and terminate the lazy servants sitting on higher posts for their known incompetence.
I think the issue is not of new machine the issue is machine readable paper which is import from USA and they don’t have sufficient funds to fulfill this requirements every one know that its already defaulted and not declared by our ruling goons