akistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, recently revealed that the Ministry of Interior is handling an exceptionally high volume of passport applications, with an average of 45,000 to 50,000 requests daily. The existing passport production infrastructure, however, is limited, leading to significant delays in processing.
Delays Addressed in National Assembly Session
During a National Assembly session on Friday, Naqvi responded to questions regarding prolonged passport issuance times. He clarified that the Machine Readable Passport (MRP) system, originally introduced in 2004, was intended for only 30 passport offices across Pakistan and ten international missions. Today, the network has expanded to 223 local offices and 93 foreign missions, yet the production facility has not been upgraded to meet the growing demand.
Limited Capacity Leads to Backlog
“Currently, passport applications are coming in at a rate of 45,000 to 50,000 daily, while our production capacity only allows for 20,000 to 22,000 passports,” Naqvi said, noting that the backlog has thus accumulated over time.
Government Extends Operational Hours to Alleviate Delays
In response to the high demand, the government has extended the operational hours of passport production facilities to a 24/7 schedule, with three shifts running daily, to expedite processing.
Fees Based on Urgency: Minister Responds to Fee Concerns
Addressing concerns over high fees for expedited passports, Naqvi stated that applicants can choose between “normal,” “urgent,” and “fast track” processing categories, allowing them to pay according to their needs.
Delays Impacting Citizens Nationwide
The disclosure comes weeks after media outlets reported severe passport delays, with some applications taking up to two months. Those impacted include patients requiring urgent medical treatment abroad, students seeking admissions in foreign institutions, and individuals needing work visas.
