The Prime Minister made the announcement during the annual gala dinner organized by UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries at a local hotel here late Wednesday night.

Gilani said the amount had been sanctioned in view of a strong demand by the Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom who are facing difficulties in getting the Pakistani machine readable passports.

The Pakistanis from across the UK have to visit London to get machine readable passports, where the system is unable to cater to the large number of aspirants.

The said amount will be spent on the installation of MRP system at the four consulates and for the construction of a building at High Commission in London to facilitate the passport seekers.

Earlier, Pakistan High Commissioner to London Wajid Shamsul Hassan apprised the Prime Minister about the difficulties faced by Pakistanis living in the UK in getting MRP.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011