ATTOCK, July 12: The recently installed Machine Readable Passport (MRP) system at four Pakistani missions in the Middle East and Europe will start functioning by the end of July this year. This was stated by Director Immigration and Passport Malik Mansoor Akhtar Awan while talking to this correspondent on Tuesday. The MRP system has been installed at Pakistani missions in Dubai (UAE), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), London (UK) and Frankfurt (Germany).

The director said in the second phase, the system was being also installed at six other missions — Rome (Italy), Oslo (Norway), New Delhi (India), Toronto (Canada), New York and Los Angeles (US).

About issuance of passports in Pakistan, he said issuance of manual passports had been stopped from June 30 this year, adding that those already issued would remain valid till their expiry.

The official said daily 7,000-8,000 machine readable passports were being issued by 29 regional passport offices across the country.

Initially, he said, the MRP facility was available at 18 regional offices, however, later it was extended to the remaining 11 passport offices.

He said the MRP system was installed last year and the first passport was issued on October 25, 2004, adding that, so far, over 500,000 MRPs had been issued.

Mr Awan said the MRP system would help check issuance of fake passports, tempering, human smuggling and movement of anti- state elements.

Talking about availability of staff at passport offices, the director said sufficient staff was present at the facilities, however, he admitted that a rush was being witnessed as every applicant had to appear in person for documentation and verification purposes.