Pakistan’s Passport System Faces Overwhelming Demand as Daily Applications Double Capacity

The Interior Ministry has reported an unprecedented surge in passport applications, reaching a staggering 45,000 to 50,000 submissions daily, while existing resources only allow for the issuance of 20,000 to 22,000 passports per day. The gap has led to significant delays and frustration for applicants, with some waiting months for their passports. Officials cite limited capacity and a system that has not kept up with the growing demand, as reasons for the backlog.

Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, in a recent address to the National Assembly, explained that the current system, implemented in 2004, was sufficient at the time. However, with regional passport offices expanding from 30 to 223 and foreign missions from 10 to 93, the infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. A severe shortage of passport paper last year further exacerbated the delays.

In response, the Ministry has implemented a 24/7 operational schedule, decentralizing passport printing to regional offices in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan. Additionally, the government has ordered 20 new Delta printers and 20 laminators, expected to be in use by October 2024, along with new desktop printers and e-passport machines set to arrive by November 2024.

Officials hope the upgraded technology will significantly boost processing capacity and ease the backlog, reducing waiting times for passport applicants.