Government Lifts Ban on Passport Issuance to Asylum Seekers
— July 22, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss matters related to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, deciding to reverse the suspension of the issuance of passports to Pakistani nationals seeking asylum abroad.
The meeting reviewed the policy decision taken via a circular dated June 5, 2024, which halted passport issuance to individuals who had sought asylum or were already living on asylum abroad. “It was decided to reverse the decision with immediate effect and to withdraw the circular of June 5, 2024,” according to a press release.
The meeting was attended by the foreign secretary, interior secretary, Director General of Immigration and Passports (IMPASS), and senior officers of the foreign ministry.
Discussions also covered issues related to delays in the issuance of passports to Pakistanis living abroad. The interior secretary and Director General of IMPASS briefed the deputy prime minister on ongoing efforts to streamline the process.
It was decided that the Ministry of Interior and IMPASS will take the immediate necessary steps to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment within the next 45 days and to accelerate the clearance of the entire backlog relating to passport issuance for overseas Pakistanis.