Pakistan to enter E-Passport era soon Says Sheikh Rashid

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

Islamabad: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Wednesday said that Asia's first-ever e-passport service will start in Pakistan in the beginning of next year.

He was addressing a ceremony in Islamabad to launch important initiatives by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.  

The initiatives included revamping the online passport facility, fast-track delivery service at zonal offices, up-gradation of the website of Director General of Immigration and Passports, and inauguration of its official logo.

Interior Minister said this online facility will enable people to get their passports at home without traveling and waiting in queues at passport offices.

"Passport delivery service has been revamped and now one can get it within twenty four hours," he added.

The Federal Minister said an online facility is also being given for renunciation of citizenship and getting emergency travel documents.

He said online passport service is being provided in 191 countries.

He said we are fully focusing on National Action Plan and stern action will be taken against those who are defaming the country internationally.   

The Minister said ten million overseas Pakistanis across the world are happy with the government's initiative of EVMs and the government is fully focused to further facilitating them as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said strict action will be taken against those Pakistanis having dual passports.

He said two thousand police personnel will be recruited to strengthen the Islamabad police force.

With the issuance of the E-Passport, the whole process of the immigration formalities will be completed online. 

In January 2020, Bangladesh entered the E-Passport era as the first country in South Asia with the formal opening of electronic passport services.