Expats suffer long delays over verification, certification

Wafaqi Mohtasib directs depts concerned to set up automated system for application tracking

ISLAMABAD: Overseas Pakistanis are facing immense problems due to delays in the process of police clearance and verification of national status as well as issuance of passports, national identity cards and character certificates.

A large number of complaints have been received by the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat from overseas Pakistanis residing in many parts of the world.



Hafiz Ahsan Khokhar, senior adviser law and grievances commissioner for overseas Pakistanis, told The Express Tribune that given the gravity of the situation, all police departments and other agencies involved in the process of clearance had been directed by the Wafaqi Mohtasib to urgently set up an online automated system for tracking applications.

While sharing details, he said, “Wafaqi Mohtasib has issued comprehensive guidelines to be followed by all concerned police departments and federal government departments to ensure systemic processing of clearance.”

He added that the interior ministry had written to all inspectors-general of police and concerned departments, directing them to follow the guidelines.

Moreover, all concerned authorities have been issued directives for completion of verification processes involving overseas Pakistanis within 30 days, submission of updated monthly reports, setting up of an automation system for tracking of applications, and creation of a Watsapp group of officers of ICT police and Wafaqi Mohtasib.



Meanwhile, officials of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports have prepared a template for dealing with record verification cases submitted by overseas Pakistanis.

Khokhar said that Wafaqi Mohtasib had directed the DG Immigration and Passports to depute a senior officer along with an IT expert to give a detailed presentation on December 20.