Islamabad, October 31, 2024 – In a major development, Pakistani citizens can now apply for passports from any city nationwide, regardless of the residential address listed on their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). This policy change follows a recent amendment to passport regulations, approved by the federal government to enhance accessibility and reduce delays.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) has issued a notification to regional passport offices to implement the revised rules, which aim to simplify the process for applicants. Mustafa Jamal Qazi, Director General of Immigration and Passports, said the government’s decision addresses longstanding challenges faced by citizens needing passports.
Under the new rule, passport applications will not be rejected due to mismatches between the CNIC address and the applicant’s chosen passport office location. This comes as part of an effort to streamline passport issuance following prolonged delays and public complaints earlier this year.
In August, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar assured the National Assembly that delays would be resolved by September, with the installation of updated machinery and software to speed up processing. He added that the new system, expected to be operational soon, would increase daily passport issuance capacity from 26,000 to 60,000. The government expects this system overhaul and the relaxed application rules to significantly reduce the existing backlog and improve access to passport services for all Pakistani citizens.
