In a significant policy reversal, the government has decided to immediately retract the directive that suspended Pakistani passports of asylum seekers abroad. This pivotal decision was reached during a high-level meeting presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During the session, Deputy Prime Minister Dar received detailed briefings on various issues pertaining to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. It was unanimously agreed to rescind the circular suspending the passports of Pakistani asylum seekers abroad without any delay.
Furthermore, Dar was informed that passports for overseas Pakistanis will now be issued within a stipulated period of 60 days to facilitate their travel and documentation needs.
The meeting also featured extensive deliberations on ensuring expeditious passport issuance processes for Pakistanis residing abroad. Notable attendees included senior officials such as the foreign secretary, Interior secretary, DG immigration and passport, and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This decision is anticipated to bring significant relief to Pakistani asylum seekers and streamline the passport issuance procedures for overseas Pakistanis, underscoring the government’s dedication to addressing their concerns promptly.
Previously, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had instructed his ministry to halt the issuance of passports to Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad, citing national security and safety concerns. This move was part of broader efforts to prevent unauthorized migration of Pakistani nationals using asylum-seeking as a pretext.
According to reliable sources, individuals seeking asylum abroad under any circumstances were deemed ineligible to acquire Pakistani passports. The Interior Ministry clarified that passports of those already seeking asylum abroad will neither be revoked nor renewed under the revised policy.
Following these decisions, the Interior Ministry promptly dispatched formal directives to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant authorities for the effective implementation of the updated passport policy.
