In a significant move to modernize travel documentation and enhance national security, the Pakistani government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports in favor of a complete transition to an e-passport system. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the decision during a special meeting at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters, noting that the upgrade is designed to eliminate fraud and forgery while aligning Pakistan's travel documents with international standards.
Key Updates and Reforms
The government has outlined several initiatives to streamline immigration services and improve the citizen experience:
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Cashless Passport Offices: Nationwide passport offices will move to a completely cashless payment system starting July 1, 2026, to increase transparency and digitize public service delivery.
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Home Delivery Service: Authorities have confirmed that preparatory work for the home delivery of passports both within Pakistan and internationally is now complete, with the service expected to launch soon to spare citizens from visiting offices.
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Digital Integration: To create a more efficient application process, online passport submissions will be migrated to the Pak ID platform.
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Business Passport Policy: Interior Minister Naqvi has directed officials to finalize a new business passport policy in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to facilitate legitimate business travel.
Understanding the E-Passport
An e-passport features an embedded contactless NFC chip that securely stores the holder’s biometric data, facial details, biographical information, and a digital signature. This technology allows for wireless data reading by border control systems, which helps facilitate the use of e-gate facilities at international airports and significantly reduces immigration wait times. While the transition to this secure system has been approved in principle, a specific deadline for the phase-out of older machine-readable passports has not yet been set.
