ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani passport issuance process is currently experiencing significant delays which are causing distress to applicants. The federal government has acknowledged the issue and revealed that there are currently more than 800,000 pending passport applications awaiting printing due to the backlog. To address this problem, proactive measures such as acquiring new machinery and lamination paper are being taken. The government anticipates that these measures will result in a prompt resolution of the backlog.
Passport and Immigration authorities are diligently working to print approximately 20,000 to 25,000 passports on a daily basis, despite receiving a staggering influx of 40,000 to 45,000 applications each day.
To hasten the resolution of the issue at hand, tenders have been released to acquire printing machines and e-passport devices. Additionally, global tenders have been issued to procure the required lamination paper that is essential for the passport production process.
Earlier reports dating back to March 30 shed light on the unprecedented delays experienced by passport applicants, with over 550,000 individuals enduring extended waits of two to three months for their passports to be issued. The Passport and Immigration Department attributed these delays to the unavailability of machine-readable and e-passports.
Notably, the protracted delays have especially impacted Pakistani citizens planning to embark on Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, adding to the urgency of resolving the situation. However, authorities responsible for passport issuance have reassured the public that the delays stemmed from shortages of ink and lamination paper.
Encouragingly, with the replenishment of these essential supplies, it is anticipated that all pending passports will be cleared by June, offering relief to the multitude of affected applicants and facilitating their travel plans.
The federal government’s proactive approach in addressing this pressing issue underscores its commitment to streamlining administrative processes and ensuring the timely provision of essential services to citizens.
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