Passport Delays to End by September End: Law Minister

Swift Measures to Address Passport Issuance Delays: Backlog Expected to Ease by September 2024

In response to growing concerns over significant delays in passport issuance, the Department of Passports and Immigration has taken decisive steps to expedite the process.

Read More: 60-Day Passport Issuance for Overseas Pakistanis

These efforts are set to drastically reduce wait times for citizens, with the backlog expected to clear by September 2024.

Boost in Printing Capacity: A Game Changer

One of the primary measures includes a substantial increase in the printing capacity.

The Department has invested in advanced technology, including the acquisition of 20 state-of-the-art laminators and 20 high-capacity printers.

This upgrade will propel the daily passport printing capacity from 22,000 to an impressive 55,000 passports per day, marking a critical step towards resolving the current delays.

• New Equipment Procurement: The investment includes laminators, printers, and the introduction of five advanced RMP machines along with two e-passport printers.
• Expected Output: With these upgrades, the authorities project an output of approximately 1,000 new passports per hour, significantly reducing processing times.

Securing Resources: No Room for Delays

To ensure that the enhanced printing capacity is fully operational, the Department has preemptively secured a six-month stockpile of lamination papers.

This strategic move is crucial to prevent any further delays due to material shortages.

Moreover, the authorities plan to purchase additional printers twice a year to maintain and possibly increase this heightened capacity.

• Lamination Paper Stock: A six-month supply has already been procured.
• Future Preparations: Plans include biannual procurement of additional printers to sustain the increased capacity.

Clearing the Backlog by September 2024

Given the implementation of these robust measures, the Department of Passports and Immigration is optimistic that the current backlog will start to diminish by the last week of September 2024.

This is welcome news for thousands of applicants who have been anxiously awaiting their travel documents.

Government’s Commitment and Assurance

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, speaking before the National Assembly, confirmed that the new machinery and software would be fully operational by September, enhancing the passport printing capacity to 60,000 per day.

This development follows orders from the previous government, continued by the interim administration, to address the growing demand for passports.

• Government’s Role: The Law Minister assured that the existing backlog would be resolved by the end of September, thanks to the new system’s introduction.
• Past System Limitations: The current system, installed in 2004, had a capacity of only 26,000 passports per day, which has been overwhelmed by the increasing number of applications over the years.

Conclusion

The recent steps taken by the Department of Passports and Immigration demonstrate a firm commitment to resolving the delays in passport issuance. With new equipment, adequate resources, and strategic planning, the backlog is expected to clear, paving the way for smoother and quicker passport processing.

For further details on passport services, visit the official website of the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports.

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