I AM on vacation from Oman College in Muscat. Recently, I visited the passport office in Karachi to renew my children’s passports. As I did not find any information on the website of the directorate related to ‘B’ form, I did not bring the form from Oman.

The passport office staff asked me to bring form B to renew the children’s passports as without it the process was not possible. I deposited the fee. At that moment an assistant director, and another passport officer, saved me from hassle.

They proved that we still have honest people in government departments. They suggested that I go to Nadra’s executive centre in Saddar, near the passport office. They assured me they would accept the passport’s application on the basis of receipt of form B application. I was asked to present form B at the time of delivery of the passports.

There was another challenge – birth certificates were required. These certificates were also in Muscat. I requested the duty officer to help me on the basis of my CNIC and find the form B, which I had prepared years ago.

The intelligent head of the centre searched Nadra’s record and found my children’s information. After an official payment of duplicate certificates, I received duplicate B form.

Finally, passport officials took my children’s papers. My story proves that we Pakistanis love our countrymen and we need patience and proper communication to break the ice and open doors.

Munawar Hameed Mangalwala

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

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