Pakistan reduces passport delivery time from 21 to 14 days

The federal government has approved a series of reforms aimed at improving passport services for citizens, including reducing the processing time for normal passports from 21 days to 14 days.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, where multiple administrative measures were reviewed to enhance efficiency and public convenience in passport-related services.

According to officials, the reduction in processing time is expected to provide faster and more timely services to applicants across the country. The interior minister stated that the move is part of broader efforts to improve citizen facilitation and streamline government procedures.

The meeting also approved the introduction of a fully cashless system in passport offices. Under this initiative, cash payments will be gradually phased out within 15 days. Authorities said the step is designed to increase transparency and eliminate the role of agents and middlemen who exploit applicants in the system.

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In addition, the minister directed officials to accelerate work on finalising a new framework for the issuance of business passports, aiming to make the process more efficient and structured for frequent travellers and business professionals.

Another key decision taken during the meeting was to strengthen the home delivery system for passports, ensuring that documents are delivered directly to citizens’ doorsteps with greater reliability and speed.

Officials briefed the meeting that under the previous system, normal passports were issued within 21 days, but the revised mechanism will reduce this timeline to 14 days, marking a significant improvement in service delivery standards.

Senior officials, including the Federal Secretary for Interior and the Director General of Passports and Immigration, attended the meeting and briefed the participants on ongoing reforms and operational challenges within the passport system.