Getting a passport renewed in America

DALLAS: I have been pursuing my master’s degree in America for the past three years. I am trying to renew my passport but when I contacted the Pakistani consulate in Houston they said their facilities are not working and I should contact the consulate in Los Angeles. The consulate in Los Angeles told me that I have to get my passport renewed at the Houston consulate since it is closest to where I am studying. I then tried contacting the consulate in New York but nobody picks up the phone or replies to my emails.

The officials in these embassies are our representatives and have been posted by the Pakistani government to render services to its citizens. I am planning to visit Pakistan for 10 days but that is obviously not possible — simply because of this red tape. I mean don't our taxes go toward paying the salaries of the staff at the consulates? Why then are they so inefficient and unresponsive? What am I to do? Who will help me?

I hope the authorities concerned will take action to make the passport-issuing facilities in working order.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2010.