Pakistan is preparing to transition fully to electronic passports, with the government announcing plans to discontinue machine-readable passport issuance within a month. The Ministry of Interior informed the National Assembly that passport offices across Pakistan and diplomatic missions abroad would subsequently issue only e-passports.
However, citizens who already hold machine-readable passports will not need to replace them immediately. Their existing passports will remain valid until their respective expiry dates, allowing travellers to continue using them during the transition.
Electronic Chips to Strengthen Passport Security
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary told the National Assembly that the government was working to introduce the new system as quickly as possible. He explained that Pakistan was upgrading its passport infrastructure to meet changing international immigration requirements.
The new e-passports contain electronic chips that securely store the holder’s personal and biometric information. These features will help immigration authorities verify identities more efficiently and reduce the risk of document forgery, tampering and fraudulent use.
Furthermore, electronic passports support modern border-control systems and can improve identity checks at international airports. The technology could also help Pakistani travellers access automated immigration gates where participating airports provide compatible facilities.
Operational Challenges Could Affect Rollout
Despite the planned timeline, the government has acknowledged potential challenges during implementation. Chaudhary said Pakistan’s large population and operational pressures on passport offices could cause delays in the nationwide transition.
Nevertheless, the government remains committed to completing the process as soon as possible. Officials are working to ensure that passport offices and Pakistani missions abroad can manage the change effectively.
Pakistan introduced its e-passport facility in 2022 and subsequently expanded access through passport offices across the country. The latest decision represents a further step towards making electronic passports the standard travel document for Pakistani citizens.
The transition is expected to modernize passport services and strengthen document security. Meanwhile, citizens should monitor official announcements for updated application procedures, fees and availability as the government implements the new system.
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