LAHORE, June 27: Governor Khalid Maqbool has ordered starting of data processing for machine readable passports at the Garden Town office from Tuesday (today). The governor gave the orders after watching the functioning of eight data entry stations, biometric thumb impression devices, dual monitoring system and delivery counter during an inspection of the new airconditioned office building here on Monday.

He expressed satisfaction over the setting up of a separate counter for senior citizens, special people and women. He assured the people that the old passport office at the Abbot Road would continue issuing passports despite setting up of the new office at Garden Town.

Nadra MRP director Col Zafar Ahsan (retired) told the governor that delivery of machine readable passports had been started at the office two and a half months ago. The fully automated system installed at the office ensured processing of data for passport and its comparison with Nadra record in the minimum possible time.

Punjab (immigration) deputy director Shamshad Ahmad Khan told the governor that 6.1 million passports had been issued and an average 700,000 new ones were being issued every year.

He said the new passports could not be tampered with because of its holographic picture with secret bar code and faded image.