The Directorate of Immigration and Passports has released its annual performance report, showcasing substantial improvements in passport services across the country.
According to the report, the department successfully eliminated longstanding passport backlogs and now provides round-the-clock services through 232 passport offices nationwide, significantly enhancing convenience for applicants.
A key achievement noted in the report is the doubling of passports issued annually over the past two years. Of the 13 million passports issued in the last two years, 6.7 million were processed last year alone. In comparison, only 3.4 million were issued annually during the previous 17 years out of a total of 55 million.
The report also highlights progress in serving overseas Pakistanis, with 130,318 passports issued online to expatriates last year.
Financially, the Directorate contributed Rs. 295.7 billion to the national treasury over the past 16 years, with Rs. 40 billion deposited annually over the last two years.
In addition to passport services, the Directorate issued 53 Pakistan Citizenship Certificates, 4,447 renunciation certificates, and one naturalization certificate in the past year.
To further modernize its operations, the department introduced upgraded infrastructure, 32 new passport counters, and advanced security features. Passport counters were also established in all provincial assemblies and bar councils, with 24/7 service now available in major urban centers.
An e-gate system linked to e-passports is also being introduced nationwide to bolster security and streamline travel processes.
These developments reflect the Directorate’s ongoing commitment to efficiency, security, and accessibility in passport and immigration services across Pakistan.
