Islamabad Headquarters Introduces Longer Public Service Hours
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an evening shift for consular services at its headquarters in Islamabad.
The new schedule allows citizens to access consular facilities from 8am until 8pm, Monday through Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the initiative on Monday, July 27, 2026.
He said the extended hours would make government services more accessible, convenient and efficient for the public.
The additional shift is expected to help applicants who cannot visit the ministry during normal working hours.
It may also reduce congestion during the morning period.
The ministry advised citizens to follow the revised token schedule before visiting the Consular Services Wing.
The new arrangement currently applies to consular services provided at the ministry’s Islamabad headquarters.
Separate Token Timings Announced for Both Shifts
Token issuance for the morning shift will continue under the existing schedule.
From Monday to Thursday, morning tokens will be issued between 8am and 12pm.
On Fridays, applicants can obtain morning tokens from 8am until 11am.
The newly introduced evening shift will have a separate token window.
From Monday to Thursday, evening tokens will be issued from 3pm to 5:30pm.
On Fridays, evening token issuance will operate from 3pm until 5pm.
Applicants should arrive during the designated token period.
The overall service window will remain open until 8pm from Monday to Friday.
The extended timings took effect on Monday, July 27, 2026.
The Foreign Ministry said citizens should consult the official public notice and submit their applications according to the revised schedule.
Extended Shift Aims to Reduce Delays
Consular services are required for several official and overseas documentation processes.
These include document authentication and other matters handled by the ministry’s Consular Services Wing.
The evening shift is intended to give citizens greater flexibility when planning their visits.
Working professionals and applicants travelling from outside Islamabad may particularly benefit from the extended hours.
Longer operating hours could also divide applicant traffic between morning and evening sessions.
This may reduce waiting times and improve service delivery during busy periods.
The ministry described the initiative as part of its commitment to providing efficient and citizen-focused public services.
Citizens have been advised to ensure that their applications and supporting documents are complete before visiting.
They should also note that token distribution will close earlier than the overall consular service hours.
