In Islamabad, over 700,000 passport applicants face delays due to issues at the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P).
The DGI&P has been unable to issue machine-readable e-passports promptly, causing widespread inconvenience for citizens applying for new or renewal passports.
The delays have been exacerbated by logistical challenges, including the non-arrival of twelve new passport printing machines, which were supposed to be imported. Despite assurances, these essential machines have not been received, so the processing of applications has been severely hindered. Reports suggest that even after waiting for five to six months, many applicants are still without their passports.
Further complicating the situation is a shortage of crucial supplies such as ink and lamination paper needed for passport production. Although it was reported in March that these supplies were running low, subsequent updates indicated that stocks had been replenished. Despite this, the backlog has grown, and the anticipated clearing of pending applications has been delayed.
The Office of DGI&P and Immigration has projected that all pending passports will be processed and issued by June, aiming to resolve the backlog and streamline the issuance process. This situation highlights the need for improved logistical planning and resource management within the department to avoid such disruptions in the future and ensure timely service delivery to the public.
