Pakistan to stop issuing machine-readable passports within a month
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to discontinue machine-readable passports and shift entirely to electronic passports (e-passports), with implementation expected within a month.
The Ministry of Interior told the National Assembly that it would stop issuing machine-readable passports within the next month. After the transition, passport offices across Pakistan and Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad will issue only e-passports.
However, existing machine-readable passports will remain valid until their expiry dates and can continue to be used during their validity period.
Responding to a question from Member of the National Assembly Malik Shakir Bashir Awan during the question hour, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said Pakistan was moving towards e-passports in line with technological changes in international immigration systems.
He said the electronic chip embedded in the new passports would help prevent forgery and improve the verification of travellers’ identities and travel information.
Dr Chaudhry added that the government was working to introduce the new system as soon as possible. However, Pakistan’s large population and the administrative challenges passport offices face could cause delays.
Despite these challenges, he said the government remained committed to launching the system within a month.
The National Assembly also acknowledged the need to modernise the existing passport system to meet international travel requirements. The shift to e-passports is expected to strengthen identity verification through the electronic information stored on the embedded chip.
