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By Ariz Riaz :
Pakistan has stepped up efforts to modernise its passport services through a new digitalisation drive aimed at reducing delays, improving transparency and streamlining the overall issuance process for citizens.
The initiative, being led by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, is part of wider government reforms to introduce technology-driven systems across public service departments.
According to officials, a high-level review meeting was recently held to assess ongoing progress and evaluate the integration of advanced digital tools into passport operations. The discussions focused on improving workflow efficiency and reducing bottlenecks that have traditionally slowed down processing times.
Authorities say the digital transformation programme is intended to make the passport application system faster, more transparent and easier to navigate for applicants. By shifting key processes to digital platforms, officials hope to minimise manual intervention, which has often been linked to delays and administrative inefficiencies.
The reforms also include broader upgrades to internal systems, with an emphasis on improving coordination between regional and central offices. Officials believe this will help standardise procedures and reduce inconsistencies in service delivery across the country.
The passport office has been under increasing pressure in recent years due to rising demand for travel documents, both for overseas employment and international travel. Long queues, verification delays and documentation challenges have frequently been cited by applicants as key concerns.
By introducing digital solutions, authorities aim to address these issues while also improving accountability within the system. Officials say enhanced data management and automated processing will allow for quicker verification and reduce the scope for errors.
The initiative is part of a wider push by the government to modernise public sector institutions through technology. Similar digital reforms are already being introduced in other departments, as Pakistan seeks to improve governance and service delivery through integrated online systems.
While officials have not provided a timeline for full implementation, they say the transition will be gradual, with systems being upgraded in phases to ensure stability and security during the rollout.
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