The federal government has decided to launch a doorstep passport delivery service to make passport collection easier and faster for citizens across Pakistan.
The decision came during a meeting chaired by Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa in Islamabad.
Officials reviewed progress on a dedicated digital application that will support the new service. They also finalised standard operating procedures for passport delivery.
The move marks another step in the government’s effort to modernise public services and improve the passport system.
Officials expect the service to save applicants time and reduce visits to passport offices. The facility will especially benefit people living in remote areas and large cities.
The government plans to roll out the service nationwide after completing the final implementation process.
Faster Processing and Cashless Passport Offices
The latest development follows a high-level meeting held on April 30. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry chaired the session.
During the meeting, officials presented several reforms for the passport system. The government approved those measures to improve service delivery.
Officials informed the ministers that authorities had reduced the processing time for normal passports from 21 days to 14 days.
The government also reviewed plans for home delivery and directed officials to improve the proposed system further.
Authorities took another major decision during the meeting. They approved a fully cashless payment system for passport offices across the country.
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Officials plan to introduce the system within 15 days.
The new framework will eliminate cash transactions at passport offices. Authorities believe the move will improve transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption.
Officials also hope the system will curb the influence of middlemen, commonly known as the “agent mafia”.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has already introduced several digital reforms. These include online passport renewal services for overseas Pakistanis and digital appointment systems.
Those initiatives have helped reduce congestion at passport offices and improve efficiency.
Business Passport Proposal Under Review
Officials also reviewed progress on the proposed Business Passport category.
The initiative aims to support frequent travellers, exporters and business professionals who require faster documentation services.
The meeting also discussed the creation of a dedicated Passport Authority.
Officials believe the proposed authority will strengthen institutional capacity and improve long-term service delivery.
Pakistan has seen a steady increase in passport applications in recent years. Rising overseas employment and growing international travel have driven demand.
Officials say the latest reforms reflect the government’s broader push to digitise public services.
Once authorities launch the programme, applicants will receive passports at their homes instead of visiting collection centres.
The initiative could become one of the most significant citizen-focused reforms introduced by the immigration department in recent years.
