ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports, Inte­rior Minister Mohsin Naq­vi annou­nced on Friday, saying the move will offer advanced security, global compatibility and a seamless airport experience.

Chairing a special me­­eting at the Passport and Immigration Headq­uar­te­­rs, Mr Naqvi said the complete transition would eli­minate fraud and forgery.

“The complete transition to e-passports will end fraud and forgery related to passports,” he said.

Director General of Pas­s­ports and Immig­rat­ion Muhammad Ali Randh­awa briefed the minister on the reforms.

The meeting approved in principle to shift to e-passports, though no cutoff date for phasing out old passports was set.

An e-Passport is a hi­­gh­­ly secure travel document with an electronic chip em­­bedded in one of its pa­­ges. The contactless NFC chip securely stores biometric data, facial details, biographical information, a unique identification nu­­mber and a digital signature. The chip allows bord­­er control and smart devi­ces to read data wirelessly.

Pakistan’s e-passports are compliant with the Int­ernational Civil Aviation Organisation’s standards. Pakistani e-passport holders will be able to use e-gate facilities at airports worldwide, reducing immigration queues.

The meeting held on Friday also decided that all passport offices will move to a cashless payment system from July 1, ending manual cash handling at banks.

Mr Randhawa informed the meeting that initial work on the home delivery of passports for citizens in the country and abroad had been completed.

“The process of providing passports at citizens’ doorsteps will start soon,” Mr Naqvi said.

The Pak ID platform will be available to online passport applicants to streamline submissions and cut processing time.

Mr Naqvi directed that the policy for business passports be finalised at the earliest in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026