Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Revamps Passport Services

The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has taken significant steps to enhance passport services in Lahore and Karachi. In response to mounting complaints of bribery and corruption within passport offices, Minister Naqvi announced the suspension of passport officials. This move came after a visit to the Lahore Passport Office revealed long queues, bribery issues, mafia agent interference, and a backlog of complaints.

Due to a shortage of lamination paper, the Department of Passports and Immigration had to reduce its daily output drastically, causing delays in processing passports. This led to over 7,000 intending pilgrims being unable to perform Umrah in Ramazan. Despite having the capacity to produce 25,000 passports daily, the department was receiving over 40,000 applications per day, leading to significant delays.

To address these challenges and improve accessibility, Minister Naqvi announced that at least one passport office in both Lahore and Karachi will now operate 24/7. This decision aims to make passport services more convenient and efficient for the public, especially during peak application periods.

The initiative to keep passport offices open round the clock in Lahore and Karachi marks a significant step towards enhancing public service delivery and combating corruption within the passport issuance process. By prioritizing accessibility and efficiency, the government aims to streamline passport services and ensure a smoother experience for all applicants.