LAHORE – A delay in government funding for a new, advanced passport printing machine has left over 800,000 people in Pakistan waiting for their passports. Despite finalizing a tender and placing an order, the Finance Division has yet to release the PKR 2.9 billion needed, creating a significant backlog.
While the backlog previously surpassed 1.5 million, it has since decreased. However, the Passport and Immigration Department, which generates PKR 50 to 51 billion in annual revenue, is struggling to meet demand due to the lack of a new machine.
Department officials voiced frustration, highlighting that despite their revenue contributions, they haven’t received the funds necessary to meet the increasing passport demand. “We receive 72,000 to 75,000 applications daily but can only process 22,000, leaving many applicants in limbo,” said a senior official, speaking anonymously.
The situation is further complicated by import restrictions, making it difficult to acquire essential equipment. Even though legal processes have been completed and an order placed, bureaucratic delays are preventing the acquisition of the new machine.
Mustafa Jamal Qazi, Director General of Passport and Immigration, acknowledged the challenges but reassured that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. “We’ve managed to issue passports to around 700,000 to 800,000 people from the backlog, but new applications keep piling up,” he said. Another request for funding has been submitted to the Finance Division.
The new machine, once procured, will be capable of producing 40,000 to 42,000 passports per day, doubling the current capacity. If the funds are released soon and the machine becomes operational next month, the department hopes to clear the backlog by November or December, ensuring timely issuance of machine-readable and e-passports.
The delay has caused significant difficulties for those urgently needing passports, but the department remains optimistic that the situation will improve once the new equipment is in place.
