SIALKOT, April 13: Scores of people, including women, staged a protest demonstration here on Thursday in front of the regional passport office against the alleged corruption of its officials.

Talking to the press, the protesters said passport officials were allegedly fleecing applicants with the connivance of agents who were charging Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 for an urgent passport and Rs500 to Rs600 for an ordinary one.

People complained that application forms submitted through agents were being entertained on time while those who had deposited their forms through proper channel had to face inordinate delay in getting passports.

Several people from Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Uggoki, Pasrur, Shakargarh, Narowal and their surrounding areas told journalists that they had deposited their forms with the Sialkot regional office three months ago and could not get their passports yet.

When contacted, the regional passport officials refused to comment in this regard.