Pakistan’s Director General of Immigration and Passport (DGI&P) Yawar Hussain has declared that e-passports are now operational. The electronic document was first distributed to two government officials and three diplomats last week.
According to Yawar Hussain, this facility would first be accessible to government employees and diplomats, and e-passport issuance to locals and overseas residents is anticipated to start soon.
Hussain provided additional information regarding the e-passport, describing it as a very secure travel document equipped with a microchip that stores biometric data that can be used to verify the identity of the passport bearer.
Holders of Pakistani e-passports will now be able to use them at e-gate facilities at all airports worldwide. This is the biggest upgrade to the country’s travel documents since 2004.
According to Hussain, the new approach will make travel easier and assist the immigration service in reducing corruption. The e-passport system has components that increase security and guarantee transparency. The use of biometric data that connects people to their passports can now be used to prevent the use of counterfeit documents. Additionally, it will lessen identity fraud and can be applied for control at borders.
He stated that the microchip in the passport makes the renewal procedure easier and aids in retrieving data and verifying the photograph of the holder.
Pakistan is in the process of updating its electronic infrastructure at local airports, making travel easy for expats and tourists from countries with e-passport systems. According to him, these developments will enhance trade incentives and advance tourism in the nation.
Hussain argued that by incorporating the e-passport into the existing system, Pakistan will be able to catch up to other developed and technologically sophisticated countries and make the transition to digitalization.
