Pakistan is set to make e-passports mandatory by 2027. Mustafa Jamal Qazi, the Director-General of Passports Pakistan, recently announced a significant transformation in the country’s passport system, which will have far-reaching implications for millions of Pakistani citizens.
Mandatory Transition to E-Passports by 2027
Mustafa Jamal Qazi made this announcement during his visit to the Karachi Passport Office, revealing that 2027 e-passports would become mandatory for all Pakistani nationals. This marks a monumental shift from the existing machine-readable passports.
Advanced Arrangements for a Seamless Transition
The transition to e-passports represents a significant leap forward in passport technology. The Director-General assured that all the necessary arrangements for this transformation are in their final stages.
This includes the development of state-of-the-art infrastructure and systems to ensure a smooth and secure issuance process.
Installation of a New Passport System
To facilitate the transition to e-passports, Pakistan will install a new passport system within six to seven months. This modernization effort will streamline the passport issuance process and enhance the security features embedded in e-passports.
Massive Passport Issuance in the Current Year
6.5 million passports have been issued to Pakistani nationals in the current year. This underscores the significance of a robust and efficient passport system that can meet the growing demands of the country’s citizens.
Investigating Passport Issuance to Afghan Nationals
Amid concerns over the alleged issuance of Pakistani passports to Afghan nationals, Director-General Qazi emphasized that a high-level task force has been constituted to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Eliminating Passport Issuance Delays
One of the key assurances provided by Director-General Qazi is the elimination of delays in passport issuance. He cited the government’s procurement of ample lamination paper required for printing new passports.
The transition to e-passports in Pakistan represents a monumental leap in passport technology and security. With mandatory e-passports on the horizon, the country is poised to enhance its passport issuance process, ensuring efficiency, safety, and compliance with international standards.