Pakistan’s Interior Ministry reported a sharp increase in passport applications. Daily 50,000 passport requests are received and 20,000 to 22,000 passports are issued daily.
Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi explained that the current system was created in 2004. To meet the needs, the government has expanded regional offices from 30 to 223 and foreign missions from 10 to 93.
This old infrastructure and outdated technology have delayed passport processing. Last year was worst as paper storage made passport processing delayed.
To clear the backlog, the ministry has implemented 24/7 operations across three shifts, and passport printing has been decentralized to major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar.
New equipment, including 20 Delta printers and laminators, is expected to boost capacity by October, with additional machines arriving by November.
Officials are hopeful these upgrades will speed up processing times and reduce the wait for new applicants.
