Pakistan has approved blue passports for 42 leading taxpayers selected as ambassadors at large under special directives from the prime minister. The move marks a significant step in recognizing high-value taxpayers while also introducing sweeping reforms in the country’s passport system.
Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) chief Muhammad Ali Randhawa confirmed that most of the approved blue passports had already been issued. Authorities believe the initiative will encourage tax compliance and improve the image of Pakistan’s business community internationally.
The government is also reviewing another proposal to introduce special-colored passports for businessmen who pay taxes above a defined threshold. The proposal is being discussed with the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue to finalize eligibility criteria and implementation plans.
Nationwide Passport Home Delivery Service Planned
The DGIP is preparing to launch a nationwide passport home delivery service to make the process easier for citizens. According to officials, discussions with a courier company are currently underway, and the service will become operational after a formal agreement is signed.
Under the new system, applicants will be able to receive passports directly at their homes after paying a small courier fee. Passports will be dispatched from Islamabad and delivered across the country.
The department also plans to extend this facility to overseas Pakistanis during the second phase of the project. Officials say the service will save time, reduce long queues, and improve convenience for applicants.
Authorities believe doorstep passport delivery will modernize the existing system and reduce pressure on regional passport offices. The move is part of a wider digital transformation strategy aimed at improving public services in Pakistan.
DGIP to Launch Chatbot and Online Passport Applications
The DGIP has also announced plans to launch a chatbot that will guide applicants through passport procedures. The chatbot will help users understand documentation requirements, application procedures, and passport status updates.
Officials say the chatbot will significantly reduce pressure on the department’s call center, which is also being expanded to handle increasing demand. Citizens will be able to access information quickly without visiting passport offices physically.
In another major development, authorities are seriously considering a fully online passport application system. Officials are exploring two options. One proposal involves launching a dedicated mobile application similar to Nadra’s Pak-ID platform. The second option involves expanding the existing Nadra app to include passport services.
Under the proposed digital system, applicants will upload passport copies, photographs, and required documents online. Citizens will also receive email notifications if additional verification is needed.
Officials believe online passport applications will allow 24/7 access from anywhere in the country and help overcome human resource shortages within the department.
Cashless Passport Fee System to End Agent Mafia
The DGIP has also announced a complete shift toward cashless passport fee payments after June 30. Passport fees will no longer be deposited at National Bank branches.
Instead, applicants will use QR-coded tokens to pay fees through mobile banking applications. Authorities say the new digital payment system will eliminate the role of middlemen and agents who exploit applicants during the process.
The government considers this initiative an important step toward transparency, efficiency, and digital governance in Pakistan’s immigration and passport operations.
