Federal Minister for Interior should interfere for public relief
KARACHI: I recently had a disheartening experience at the Executive Passport Office in Clifton, Karachi. I needed to renew my daughter’s passport with some modifications, so I checked the website for their working hours and found that the office was supposed to be open from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. I arrived at the office at 8:15 am on a Tuesday, only to find over a dozen of people already waiting. The lower staff informed me that the office wouldn’t open until 9:00 am, contrary to what was stated online.
I asked about getting a token, but was told that tokens wouldn’t be issued until 9:00 am. By 8:45 am, more than 50 people had gathered at the passport office. This situation raised concerns about the first-come, first-served process since everyone was seated randomly around the office. I also inquired about a banking booth to deposit the fee, only to be informed that it would also open at 9:00 am.
At 9:00 am, token issuance began, but the National Bank of Pakistan booth for fee deposits remained closed until 9:17 am, and only one staff member was available to assist. After depositing the fee, the passport office staff started calling token numbers for processing the cases. However, they skipped several numbers, including my daughter’s. When I enquired, they finally allowed my daughter to proceed, but then informed us that their system was down and they couldn’t process any cases with modifications. Only straightforward renewals were being handled.
I spoke to the Assistant Director, who mentioned that this was the first time the system had broken down and had he has no idea when it would be fixed. He suggested that we either wait or come back the next day, which would mean going through the token queue again. We decided to wait, and after about 20 minutes, the system was restored and running. Finally, we were attended to.
Despite paying extra for the Executive Passport service, which costs Rs. 19,175 for a 10-year fast-track passport, the experience was chaotic and disorganized. The staff also mentioned that the urgent service now takes three months, while the normal process, which previously took seven days, was not even discussed. Urgent cases used to be processed within two days.
I believe this long and delayed passport process is due to the high volume of people leaving Pakistan amid the current political and economic situation. The passport offices are charging exorbitant fees and profiting from people suffering desperation. This matter should be addressed by the Interior Minister on a priority basis. The public should be facilitated in the passport issuance process instead of being exploited.
A report published in the media stated that the special ink required for passport printing from Germany has been conditionally cleared by the FBR. Daily passport applications have reached up to 45,000, with only 50% of them being printed, resulting in a backlog exceeding 160,000. Two new printing machines are expected to arrive in Pakistan in September. The Directorate General of Passports and Immigration has rapidly begun the printing of passports for both overseas and domestic applicants. Due to the ink shortage, a backlog of over 160,000 Pakistani passports has accumulated. Sources from the Directorate General reported that the passport printing ink will continue to arrive in Pakistan by air from Germany every month, ensuring no crisis situation arises.
On Tuesday the same day and time, a friend of mine shared his experience also at the Passport Office in Saddar Karachi. He paid Rs.12,500 for a fast-track, 5-year validity passport, and the entire process was completed in just 15 minutes. I couldn’t help but wonder why we should waste our time and extra money on the Executive Passport Office in Clifton when regular passport offices are providing quicker and more efficient service for a lower fee.
This entire experience has left me frustrated and disappointed. The inefficiency and lack of organization at the Executive Passport Office in Clifton are unacceptable, especially considering the high fees charged for their services. The authorities need to take immediate action to improve the process and ensure that the public receives the service they are paying for.
The Federal Minister for Interior must address the issues plaguing the passport issuance process in Karachi. The current disorganization and inefficiency, coupled with exorbitant fees, are causing undue stress and financial burden on citizens. Immediate reforms are necessary to streamline operations, ensure timely service, and make the process more transparent and accessible.
The public should not have to endure such chaotic conditions, especially when they are paying a premium for expedited services. The government must prioritize the public’s needs and work towards a solution that alleviates the current backlog and improves overall service quality. Only then can we hope to restore trust and confidence in our passport issuance system.
