ISLAMABAD: In a major step toward modernizing national travel documents, Pakistan has officially commenced the nationwide and global issuance of e-passports. The service is now live across all domestic passport offices and foreign diplomatic missions, marking a total transition to next-generation travel credentials for Pakistani citizens.
High-Security Features Align Pakistan with International Standards
The rollout follows directives from Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and aligns with the federal government's digital governance vision. Executed by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, the project equips citizens with secure, microchip-embedded travel documentation.
The new e-passports feature advanced biometric security mechanisms designed to streamline international border verification, mitigate identity fraud, and simplify airport customs processing globally.
Status of Existing Machine-Readable Passports
Immigration authorities confirmed that existing machine-readable passports (MRPs) will remain fully valid until their specified expiration dates. However, all future renewals and new applications will automatically be processed under the new e-passport framework.
Key Details of the E-Passport Rollout
The official launch introduces several operational changes and security enhancements:
Global Accessibility: Simultaneous launch across all passport offices in Pakistan and overseas embassies.
Next-Gen Security: Built-in electronic chip containing biometric and demographic data.
Mandatory Standard: Applied to all new passport applications and upcoming renewals starting today.
Uninterrupted Validity: Existing Machine Readable Passports remain active until expiry.
Director General of Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa characterized the launch as a landmark effort to modernize citizen services. He emphasized that the initiative fulfills the national objective of providing secure, state-of-the-art documentation for Pakistanis at home and abroad under the motto: "One Nation, One Passport, One Identity."
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