Pakistan to stop issuing machine-readable passports

Pakistan’s Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has decided to discontinue the issuance of machine-readable passports nationwide from Oct.15, after which applicants seeking new passports will receive only e-passports.

The new system will apply across passport offices in Pakistan, while instructions for implementation have also been issued to Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad.

According to officials, the issuance of machine-readable passports will be stopped from Oct.15 as part of the transition to an entirely electronic passport system.
 
Applicants submitting requests for new passports after the designated date will therefore be issued e-passports instead of traditional machine-readable documents.

The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has informed passport offices across the country about the change and issued instructions to ensure the new system is implemented.
 
Machine-readable passports issued before Oct.15 will not become invalid immediately and will remain valid until their stated expiration dates.
 
However, once these passports expire, they will not be renewed as machine-readable passports. Holders will instead be required to apply for a new e-passport.
 
The change therefore affects the issuance and renewal process going forward, while existing valid passports will continue to be accepted until their expiry.
 
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has also communicated implementation instructions to Pakistani missions abroad.
 
This will allow the transition to e-passports to be implemented not only at passport offices within Pakistan but also through Pakistani diplomatic missions serving citizens overseas.
 
Officials said the transition to e-passports is expected to make the immigration process faster and more efficient.
 
The move marks a nationwide shift toward electronic travel documents as Pakistan seeks to streamline passport issuance and facilitate immigration procedures for citizens.