The Ministry has announced that the regional passport office in Garden Town, Lahore, and the one at Awami Markaz in Karachi will now be open to the public 24/7. These offices will operate in three shifts, aiming to provide citizens with more convenient access to passport-related services.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi shared on social media that this decision is geared towards enhancing the accessibility and convenience of passport services for the public. The initiative is anticipated to streamline the process of obtaining passport-related assistance and minimize waiting times.
Additionally, measures are being taken to address the backlog of more than 800,000 pending passports. This includes acquiring new machinery and lamination paper to expedite processing. Currently, the Passport and Immigration authorities are handling 20,000 to 25,000 passports daily, despite receiving 40,000 to 45,000 applications per day.
Previously reported lengthy delays in passport issuance, affecting over 550,000 applicants with wait times of two to three months, are being addressed.