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By Tanveer Ahmed :
Pakistan has reduced the processing time for ordinary passports from 21 days to 14 days, as part of a broader effort to improve public services and modernise administrative systems.
The decision was finalised during a meeting in Islamabad led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, with senior officials including the federal secretary for interior and representatives from the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports in attendance.
Officials said the reduction in processing time is intended to ease delays and provide quicker access to travel documents for citizens, particularly as demand for passports continues to rise due to overseas employment and international travel.
Alongside the faster timeline, the government has announced a series of operational changes aimed at improving transparency and efficiency. A key measure includes the introduction of a fully cashless system across passport offices within the coming weeks. Authorities say the move is designed to curb the role of unauthorised agents and reduce the risk of corruption, while making transactions more secure and traceable.
The reforms also focus on improving services for business travellers and professionals. Officials discussed plans to introduce a dedicated system for business passport issuance, aimed at streamlining procedures for frequent travellers and reducing processing bottlenecks.
In addition, the government is looking to strengthen home delivery services for passports, with an emphasis on improving both speed and reliability. This is expected to benefit applicants who prefer remote access to services, particularly those living in areas with limited access to passport offices.
Looking ahead, the interior minister emphasised the need for deeper structural changes, including the establishment of a dedicated passport authority. Officials believe such an institution could help centralise operations, enhance oversight and ensure more consistent service delivery across the country.
The measures form part of a wider push by the government to digitise and modernise public sector services. Analysts say that while the reforms could significantly improve user experience, their success will depend on effective implementation and the capacity of institutions to adapt to new systems.
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