QUETTA: The federal government will provide 20,000 free passports to the people of Chaman district and a process has been launched in the Passport Office in this connection.

The government imposed a one-document regime system for the people travelling between Pakistan and Afghanistan and set a deadline for the people to get passports by Nov 14, 2024.

An alliance of traders had rejected the government decision and launched a prolonged protest, demanding withdrawal of the decision.

Quetta division Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat visited Chaman on Friday along with Chaman Scouts Commander Shakeel Ahmed and inaugurated the newly constructed DC Complex.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the process of issuing free e-passport has been launched in the Passport Office in Chaman district and assured the people of the district that the government would provide them with maximum facilities in this regard.

“The Passport Office in Chaman has started issuing e-passports to the people of Chaman,” he said, adding that the government would provide 20,000 free e-passports to the people.

He also announced that the people of Chaman would soon be facilitated with free visas to enable them to move freely and across the border.

Commissioner Shafqaat also spoke about the Chaman master plan and a plan for industries and said that these developments would provide job opportunities for the local population.

Chaman Deputy Commissioner Habib Ahmed Bangulzai and Commander of Chaman Scouts Shakeel Ahmed also addressed the participants of the event.

The emphasised the government’s efforts to revive the businesses of the people affected by the border closure.

DPO Shehryar Khan and PML-N’s district president Haji Attaullah Khan Achakzai and officials concerned also attended the event.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2024