The government has launched a major reform to improve public services. In this regard, authorities have started passport digitalization to modernize the immigration system. As a result, officials aim to make the process faster, easier, and more transparent for citizens.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken the lead on this initiative. He has assigned a clear reform agenda to the newly appointed Director General. Moreover, he wants immediate progress in digitalizing passports across the country.
The government has appointed Muhammad Ali Randhawa to oversee the changes. He has been instructed to convert the entire system to a paperless system. In addition, he will focus on building a fully digital process to reduce delays and improve efficiency.
Officials have placed public convenience at the center of passport digitalization. Therefore, they want citizens to experience quicker processing and fewer hurdles. At the same time, they aim to reduce manual work and eliminate unnecessary paperwork.
Furthermore, authorities have updated office operations to support passport digitalization. Passport offices will now work five days a week. As a result, all field offices will operate on a regular schedule from Monday to Friday.
Earlier, the government had reduced working days due to regional tensions and energy-saving measures. In that context, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved an austerity plan. Under that plan, offices operated four days a week, while officials allowed 50% of staff to work from home.
However, the government has now restored the previous schedule. Consequently, authorities want to ensure that passport services run smoothly. They also aim to prevent delays in processing applications.
Moreover, officials believe passport digitalization will strengthen governance. In fact, they expect improved service delivery and better public trust. Going forward, they also plan to expand digital solutions in other sectors.
Overall, passport digitalization marks a major shift in the immigration system. Therefore, the government continues to push forward with reforms.
