In recent remarks, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi highlighted the strain on the country’s passport processing system, disclosing that around 45,000 to 50,000 applications for new passports are being submitted daily.
He stated that while demand has surged, the passport production facilities can’t keep pace, resulting in a significant backlog.
During a National Assembly session, Naqvi confirmed delays in passport issuance, explaining that the system, established in 2004, initially handled just 30 passport offices in Pakistan and ten foreign missions. Over the years, these numbers have risen to 223 offices locally and 93 overseas missions.
However, the infrastructure has not been updated to meet today’s demands, allowing the facility to process only 20,000 to 22,000 passports daily.
In response to the backlog, the government has introduced 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operations across three shifts to expedite production. The interior minister also clarified that while urgent passports are available for higher fees, these charges depend on applicants’ preferences under the “normal,” “urgent,” and “fast track” categories.
The heightened demand for passports has been accompanied by delays lasting up to two months, impacting Pakistanis needing immediate travel, including those seeking medical treatment abroad, students pursuing foreign studies, and workers aiming for overseas employment.