The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) is working towards the launch of the home delivery of passports system throughout the country, which will enable the applicants to get their passports directly in their houses without having to visit the passport offices for collection.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa made the statement, adding that the move is part of a bigger scheme to modernise passport related processes and make it more convenient for citizens.
Passports to Be Delivered at Applicants’ Doorsteps
Talks are ongoing with an authorised courier firm to make arrangements for the service, says the DG Passports.
After signing an agreement, applicants in all over Pakistan will be able to receive their passports within a few days at their registered addresses by paying a nominal courier fee.
The officials said that the passports will be sent from Islamabad and reached on a smooth organized courier network so that citizens will have to go through multiple passport offices.
Overseas Pakistanis to Benefit in Second Phase
Authorities have also stated that in the next phase of the project, the passport delivery facility will be expanded to the people of the outside Pakistanis.
The expansion is expected to facilitate the process of collection of passports for Pakistanis residing abroad, and ease the process of service delivery via diplomatic missions and overseas passport facilities.
New Chatbot to Assist Applicants
The DGIP is also developing a chatbot service to be used by people who apply for passports, as part of the digital transformation process.
The chatbot will provide:
- Guidance on passport application procedures
- Information about required documents
- Passport application status updates
- Answers to common applicant queries
The new system is expected to ease the burden on the call center and ensure quicker response to the citizens, officials say.
Online Passport Applications Under Consideration
The department is also seriously considering a proposal to introduce complete online passport application services.
Officials are reviewing two possible options:
- Launching a dedicated passport application mobile app
- Expanding the functionality of Pak-ID App to include passport application services
If granted, the applicants will be able to apply for the passport without visiting any passport office.
Proposed Features
Under the proposed system, applicants may be able to:
- Upload photographs online
- Submit scanned copies of old passports
- Complete registration electronically
- Receive notifications via email if additional documents are required
Cashless Passport Fee System to Start After June 30
The DG Passports also announced that after June 30, the payment of passport fees will be 100% digital.
Under the new system:
- Passport fees will no longer be accepted at National Bank branches
- Applicants will receive QR-coded tokens
- Payments can be made through mobile banking applications
- Cash transactions will be eliminated
The initiative is designed to increase transparency and minimize the role of unregistered agents surrounding the passport offices, officials say.
Special Passports for Top Taxpayers
The government has also launched a program approved by it to distribute blue passports to top taxpayers in the country who are appointed as ambassadors-at-large.
Officials said that majority of those who are eligible to receive their passports have had them.
The authorities are also looking at a plan to issue passports of a special color to businessmen who pay more than a certain amount of taxes. A draft is in consultation with the relevant Government departments.
Modernization of Passport Services Continues
This is the latest of the government’s wide-ranging changes to digital public services and enhance service delivery to citizens.
The introduction of home delivery, assistance by chatbots, filing of applications online and cashless payments will make passport services more efficient, accessible and faster for all applicants across Pakistan and ultimately for the overseas Pakistanis.
More information on when services will be available and when the implementation will happen will be available when agreements and technical preparations have been done, officials have said.
