KARACHI: A scheme is under way to bring sweeping changes in the working of passport offices and to streamline the procedures and forms, enabling people to get a passport within 10 days of the submission of applications, it was authoritatively learnt in Karachi yesterday.

The Efficiency and O and M. Wing of the President’s Secretariat has formulated a 41-point scheme to improve the working of the passport offices and remove the bottlenecks hampering their efficient working. According to these recommendations, adequate training facilities would also be provided to the staff of the passport offices, particularly in public relations. However, the fees for the issue of new passports are intended to be increased.

It has also been recommended that the system of verifying the identity of an applicant through the local police should be abolished. The passport offices should have their own arrangements in this regard.

The Government should also construct its own buildings for all passport offices.