ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry has revealed a significant increase in passport applications, with daily submissions ranging from 45,000 to 50,000, resulting in considerable delays for applicants.
However, current resources are only capable of processing 20,000 to 22,000 applications each day, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi addressed the National Assembly, highlighting that the system implemented in 2004 is now overwhelmed. The expansion of regional offices from 30 to 223, along with the growth of foreign missions from 10 to 93, has exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, outdated technological infrastructure has not kept pace with the surge in demand.
Compounding the issue, a shortage of passport paper late last year has led to waiting times extending into months for applicants. In response to the backlog, the department has adopted a 24/7 operation schedule with three shifts, and has decentralized passport printing to major cities including Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, and Multan.
To enhance production capacity, the department is in the process of acquiring 20 Delta printers and 20 laminators, which are expected to arrive by October 2024. Additional orders for desktop printers and e-passport machines are also set to be delivered by November 2024.
Officials are optimistic that these upgrades will streamline processing times and significantly reduce waiting periods for new passport applicants, alleviating the current backlog and improving service efficiency.
