A proposal for the establishment of the “Pakistan Immigration, Passport, and Visa Authority” has been submitted to the federal government.

A new amendment ordinance has been prepared for the establishment of this authority.

The authority will be empowered to issue digital immigration, e-visas, emergency travel documents, and machine-readable passports. It will also be able to issue Pakistani citizenship certificates.

However, the Ministry of Interior has strongly opposed the proposal and called for all management of international borders, immigration, and related databases should remain under the control of federal law enforcement agencies like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The proposed ordinance grants the authority powers over passports, visas, and immigration at all entry and exit points. It will have the ability to create systems related to national border management, the exit control list, the passport control list, and the foreign control list.

The authority will have the power to issue and renew passports and visas, as well as receive applications for visa renewals. It will also be authorized to establish an immigration, passport, and visa data warehouse.

Under the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 and Pakistan Citizenship Rules 1952, the authority will be able to issue citizenship certificates.

The authority will provide e-gate facilities for uninterrupted immigration services at all airports, land borders, and seaports in Pakistan. A database for entry and exit will be created.

The authority will be able to request information from federal agencies as needed and will have the power to recruit regional passport officers and immigration officers periodically.

The Director General of the Pakistan Immigration, Passport, and Visa Authority will not be allowed to engage in any other business or job during their tenure.