Pakistan has decided to gradually shift its passport issuance system to a complete e-passport framework as part of major reforms aimed at modernizing passport and immigration services.
A high-level meeting on passport and immigration reforms was held under the chairmanship of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting reviewed key measures to make passport services more modern, transparent, secure, and citizen-friendly.
During the meeting, a principal decision was made to fully move the passport issuance system to e-passports in phases. Officials said the reform is expected to improve transparency and reduce the chances of fraud and forgery in the passport system. However, no deadline has been announced for phasing out existing passports.
Director General of Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the interior minister on ongoing reforms and proposed measures.
The meeting also decided that citizens using premium services will pay fees according to the actual cost of the relevant passport facility.
Officials said preparatory work has been completed to introduce home delivery of passports for Pakistanis living inside the country and abroad. The service will be launched soon, allowing citizens to receive passports at their doorstep.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that a cashless payment system will be introduced at passport offices across the country from July 1. The step is aimed at making payments safer and easier for applicants.
The meeting also decided that online passport applications will be shifted to the Pak-ID platform. A policy for business passports will also be finalized in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue.
According to the Ministry of Interior, an e-passport is a highly secure travel document with an electronic chip embedded in one of its pages. The chip stores biometric information about the passport holder and helps verify the holder’s identity.
The chip contains the holder’s biometric data, personal information from the passport data page, a unique identification number, and a digital signature.
An e-passport also has a contactless NFC chip, which allows it to be read electronically. Pakistan’s newly launched e-passports comply with the standards of the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization.
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