'No new MRPs': Pakistan to switch to e-passports from Oct 15

By Wasif Mahmood 

LAHORE -- Pakistan will move towards an e-passport-only system from October 15, after which new Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) will no longer be issued.

However, existing MRPs will remain valid until their expiry dates, and passport holders will continue to be able to travel abroad on valid MRPs during their remaining validity period.

According to Taj Wali Khan, Zonal Director Passports Lahore, the move is part of a broader effort to modernise passport services, improve transparency and make the process more convenient for citizens.

“The objective is to make passport services more transparent, secure and convenient for the public. Digitalisation will also help reduce unnecessary delays and opportunities for malpractice,” Taj Wali Khan said.

As part of the ongoing upgrades, passport fee payments are being shifted towards cashless channels, including QR-code-based payments.

The initiative is aimed at reducing cash handling, making payments more transparent and providing citizens with a faster and more convenient way to pay their passport fees.

More digital features are also being introduced as part of the reforms being pursued on the directions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Director General Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa. 

Citizens can also opt for home delivery of their passports through postal services. Applicants who do not wish to visit the passport office again to collect their passports can request home delivery at the time of applying for their passport.

If the applicant informs the passport officials that they want the passport delivered to their home rather than collecting it personally from the office, the home-delivery facility can be opted for accordingly.

The facility is expected to save citizens both time and travel costs, while also reducing unnecessary visits to passport offices.

The Pak ID app is also being expanded to facilitate passport-related services from home, allowing citizens to apply through a digital platform without having to visit a passport office for the entire process.

For passport applications submitted through Pak ID, additional identity-security measures, including facial verification and fingerprint verification, are being introduced.

These measures are specifically intended to ensure that nobody else can use an individual's identity to apply for or obtain a fake passport through the applicant's Pak ID account.

The biometric verification will help establish that the person applying through Pak ID is actually the legitimate identity holder, strengthening security and reducing the possibility of fraudulent applications.

“The new digital security features are designed to strengthen identity verification and protect citizens from fraudulent use of their identity,” Taj Wali Khan said.

Passport authorities are also continuing operations against agents and middlemen involved in exploiting citizens seeking passport services.

Officials say the expansion of online services, cashless payments and digital verification will help reduce citizens' dependence on unauthorized agents and intermediaries.

The ongoing reforms are aimed at transforming passport services into a more digital, secure, transparent and citizen-friendly system, while reducing unnecessary visits to passport offices and improving the overall experience for applicants.