In a move that may impact frequent travelers and individuals in need of urgent passport services, the government has announced a significant hike in passport fees, particularly targeting the fast-track category.
Recent media reports unveil a revised fee structure showcasing substantial increases across various passport categories, primarily based on page counts.
Effective from May 8, the fee for a machine-readable passport (MRP) featuring 36 pages and a validity of 5 years has surged to Rs12,500. Opting for a higher page count escalates the fees to Rs18,000 for 72 pages and a staggering Rs23,000 for 100 pages.
For those seeking an extended validity period of 10 years, the fees have surged even further. A 10-year MRP with 36 pages now demands Rs16,200, while rates for 72 and 100 pages soar to Rs25,200 and Rs32,000, respectively.
The Directorate General of Passports and Immigration implemented the fee increase in both normal and urgent processing categories on May 6.
Despite the fee adjustments, backlog issues and processing delays continue to plague the passport application system, prompting frustration among many applicants.
In a bid to enhance accessibility and efficiency, the Interior Ministry has announced round-the-clock operations for at least one passport office in both Lahore and Karachi.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi unveiled this initiative on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, last Sunday.
Earlier actions by Naqvi included a visit to the passport office in Lahore’s Garden Town, where he suspended the director and assistant director, signaling a crackdown on inefficiencies within the system. He also emphasized the need for strict action against any wrongdoers.
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