Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the resolution of long-standing delays in passport issuance, stating that citizens can now expect to receive their passports within the stipulated time frame. The announcement was made during the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Passport Office in Islamabad on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, Naqvi highlighted the significant improvements brought about by the modernization of both NADRA and the Passport Office. He noted that the backlog of passport applications, which previously stretched up to six months, has been completely eliminated. “We have restored public trust in these institutions by ensuring timely delivery of passports,” he said.

The minister emphasized the need for a dedicated Passport Authority to address recurring issues in the system. While acknowledging delays in its formation due to the involvement of multiple departments, Naqvi expressed optimism about turning the Passport Office into a fully operational authority soon.

“The absence of a dedicated authority has caused inefficiencies, including delays in salary disbursements for two years. Eliminating bureaucratic hurdles is essential to providing citizens with efficient services,” he added.

24-Hour Passport Counters in Major Cities

In a move to further streamline the process, Naqvi announced the establishment of 24-hour passport counters in 14 to 16 cities across Pakistan. These counters will provide round-the-clock services, ensuring greater convenience for citizens.

“Immediate 24-hour services are now available at the Islamabad Passport Office, and we are working to replicate this model in Lahore and Karachi,” Naqvi stated.