ISLAMABAD: While the facility of passport registration is available only from 9am to 2pm at present, residents of the federal capital will soon get the 24-hour facility throughout the week. In the second phase, residents of Rawalpindi also get the same facility.

It is worth mentioning that a number of people, such as students and office workers, hardly get a chance to reach the office or wait there for hours. The practice has caused inconvenience for a number of people as the centres remain closed on weekends.

“We have sent a proposal to the Ministry of Interior suggesting that we have made all the arrangements to offer the 24/7 passport registration facility in Islamabad. If we get the permission today, we are capable of starting the service within a week,” Director General Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Kazi said while talking to Dawn.

He said that he was well aware that a number of people were not able to leave their offices and businesses in the morning. Similarly students have to skip classes if they want to apply for a passport.

“I want to give residents an opportunity to visit the facilitation centre any time. Employees would get an opportunity to come late at night and students would visit the centre in the evening. Those who don’t find time, during the day, will be able to apply for the passports even after midnight,” he said.

When asked which centre will be open for 24/7, Mr Kazi said that the centre located in Sector G-10/4 will be made functional round the clock.

“Currently we have seven counters in the centre… We have decided to increase the number of counters to 10 so that the speedy process would be ensured. In the second phase a centre in Rawalpindi will be made functional round the clock,” he said.

“In G-10/4, we have provided ample sitting space, a play area for children, and a prayer area so that people would not suffer at all,” Dr Kazi said.

It is worth mentioning that the Government of Pakistan issues passports to its bonafide citizens to facilitate their journey and provide them protection while travelling to foreign countries. Accordingly, the holder of a valid Pakistan passport, when in a foreign country, is entitled to the protection of diplomatic and consular representative of Pakistan in that country. Passport is the only document that confirms the identity of the citizen abroad.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024