ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Passport fees will no longer be collected in cash in all passport offices in the country from July 1, and will instead be received through digital payments only, sources in the Passport Department said.
Sources privy to the meeting told Pakistan Today that the decision was taken in view of instructions given by the Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a recent meeting, while the Director General (DG) Immigration and Passport Muhammad Ali Randhawa has approved rolling out the upcoming passport initiatives after a while.
The Director General of Immigration and Passports held a significant meeting in which he met with all his Zonal Heads and other senior officials in the Headquarter in Islamabad in order to finalize the upcoming initiatives and their implementation process.
“A detailed briefing was given during the meeting on upcoming initiatives.
The software for extending passport services from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) centres is almost finalized. After the same facility is installed, citizens can easily apply for passports from NADRA Centers,” said the sources.
The sources added, “The meeting was informed that after completion, NADRA centres can process passport applications. Moreover, a presentation was delivered on how the passport facilities could be extended through a mobile app for further facilitation of the public.”
In the meeting, the DG Immigration and Passports stressed strict action against the agents’ mafia working near passport offices and asked the respective Zonal Heads to ensure enhanced cooperation between them and their zonal FIA directors.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa also asked them to visit the passport offices for on-ground implementation of reforms, so that the quality of services is improved.
At the end, the DG pledged to take the modernization process forward at the same pace in line with the Interior Minister’s reforms and vision, and to provide faster, transparent, and citizen-friendly immigration and passport services.
