Pakistan's passport issuance services have been fully restored across the globe after a four-day disruption caused by technical issues, officials confirmed. The suspension had impacted passport operations in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several European nations, leaving many applicants facing delays.
Technical Issues Resolved
Director General of Passport and Immigration, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, stated that the technical problems at the passport headquarters have now been resolved, allowing services to resume smoothly. He assured that all systems are functioning normally and that the backlog of applications will be cleared promptly.
Global Impact and Response
Following the restoration, Pakistani embassies worldwide have notified citizens about the resumption of passport processing and advised applicants to continue with their submissions as usual. The disruption had caused significant inconvenience for Pakistanis abroad, especially those with urgent travel needs. Embassies in affected regions have been instructed to prioritize pending applications to minimize further delays.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned recent attacks on UAE, expressing solidarity with the UAE government and people. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to supporting its allies against any form of terrorism. The restoration of passport services is seen as a positive step towards normalizing consular operations after the technical glitch.
Applicants are encouraged to check official embassy websites or contact local consulates for updates on processing times and requirements. The passport office has also implemented additional measures to prevent future disruptions, including system upgrades and enhanced technical support.
