The federal government has decided to digitize the country’s passport and immigration system following the arrival of Chaudhary Muhammad Ali Randhawa as Director General Immigration and Passports. The move comes after his removal from the posts of Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

An official notification from the Establishment Division confirmed that Randhawa, a BS-20 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has assumed his duties under the Interior and Narcotics Control Division with immediate effect.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed the new DG to implement comprehensive reforms to convert the current system into a fully paperless framework. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce processing delays, and improve service delivery for citizens across the country.

Officials said the reform plan will focus on simplifying procedures, improving transparency, and ensuring faster issuance of passports and immigration services, with public convenience at the core of the restructuring.

Randhawa had earlier been relieved from his role as Islamabad’s top administrative official and instructed to report to the Establishment Division before receiving this assignment. The move is part of a wider administrative reshuffle in the federal capital.

In the same reshuffle, Lt. (Retd.) Sohail Ashraf was appointed as the new Chief Commissioner Islamabad. A Grade-20 PAS officer, Ashraf previously served as Secretary Communications and Works in Punjab and held field postings as Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad and Mandi Bahauddin. He is expected to assume the additional charge of CDA chairman, with an official notification from the Ministry of Interior expected soon.