Delay in processing, delivery of passports has resulted in people losing jobs, inability to go abroad for treatment.
LAHORE: The current crisis prevalent in the passport office has affected many citizens. The delay in the processing and delivery of passports has resulted in people losing their jobs, their inability to go abroad for treatment and many other problems. I am a student and I have been selected to go to Maine, USA, to attend the Seeds of Peace Camp this summer. The last date of passport submission has almost arrived, that is, April 2. I applied for my passport on March 1, from the passport office located on Abbot Road, Lahore. I was told that the passport would be delivered by March 20 but I am still without one.
I reckon I would have to drop this rare opportunity, which I got by clearing several tough tests. I am helpless like all other Pakistanis. I believe that the media should have been more aggressive in its coverage of this serious issue. I plead to all authorities concerned to please do something to end this crisis before each and every opportunity presented before Pakistanis like me, is stolen from us.
Muhammad Sohaib Rehmani
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2013.
