Passport Issuance
KARACHI: In 2024, Pakistan witnessed a decrease in the number of passports issued compared to the previous year, with 121,418 fewer passports processed.
Despite a notable rise in the number of Pakistanis seeking to travel abroad, the total number of passports issued stood at 6,596,520, down from 6,717,938 in 2023. This decline reflects a complex set of factors, including shifts in travel patterns and the ongoing impact of global geopolitical events.
However, the year also saw a significant increase in the demand for e-passports. A total of 257,398 e-passports were issued in 2024, underscoring a growing preference for secure and modern travel documents.
Additionally, 252,141 passports were processed online, further reflecting the shift towards digitization in government services.
According to Passport Director General (DG) Mustafa Jamal Qazi, the national exchequer benefited from passport fees, with Rs47.65 billion being deposited through passport applications.
The data shows that overseas Pakistanis were also active in seeking passports, with 715,074 passports issued to them, while 5,206,234 passports were issued to citizens residing within the country.
The demographic breakdown of passport recipients revealed that women were the most prominent group, with a total of 9,659,312 women obtaining passports in 2024.
Meanwhile, 1,768,341 men and 523 transgender individuals also obtained Pakistani passports. This indicates a broad spectrum of citizens utilizing the passport service, emphasizing its importance for various segments of the population.
In terms of processing, a total of 3,056,427 new passports were issued, while 2,541,170 passports were renewed.
Despite some initial delays experienced by citizens in obtaining their passports during the year, the situation has improved, and now applicants are receiving their passports within the designated timeframes.
This overall increase in e-passports, online applications, and the steady demand for passports suggests a growing recognition of the importance of international mobility, both for personal and professional reasons, while also highlighting the increasing digitalization of government services in Pakistan.
