New online system is being introduced for the renewal of expired passports. It will not only facilitate the passport holders seeking renewal of the travelling documents but also lessen burden on the passport offices across the country, said Rana Yasir Assistant Director Passport Office Faisalabad.
He was talking to Nadeem Allahwala Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here on Sunday.
Inaam Afzal Khan vice president FCCI and Rehan Nasim Bharara chairman Faisalabad Garment City were also present during this meeting. Rana Yasir said that Faisalabad Passport office was issuing daily approximately 800 passports. Out of these 500-600 are just for renewal. If the major work load of entertaining applications for renewal of passports is shifted to on-line system, there would be only 200-300 applications for new passports and these could be easily managed by our existing staff on daily basis
He further said that building for passport office in Toba Tek Singh has also been completed. This office will become functional as soon as the staffs are appointed. The burden on Faisalabad office will be further narrowed with the operation of Toba Tek Singh office, he added.
He further said the government was also considering a proposal to issue new passport with valid period of ten years. He said that it would be yet another added facility to the applicants and will also lessen workload on the passport offices.
Responding to a question, he said that Interior Ministry has taken foolproof security arrangements plugging all loopholes to temper of issue fake passports.
Nadeem Allahwala appreciated the arrangements made at the Faisalabad for the facilitation of the passport seekers adding that this facility was available on merit. He said that urgent passports are issued within 6 days and ordinary from 12-14 days. However, he demanded air conditioning of the passport office.