Mohsin Naqvi suspends passport officials over bribery

Interior minister visits passport office, hears firsthand accounts of bribery, bureaucratic hurdles

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday suspended passport officials following mounting complaints of bribery and corruption within passport offices.

The minister visited the Lahore Passport Office in Garden Town where he saw a troubling situation, as citizens voiced grievances about long queues, the prevalence of bribery, the dominance of mafia agents, and a backlog of complaints.

Appalled by the conditions observed, Mohsin immediately ordered the replacement of the deputy director and assistant director, while also directing legal action against them.

Evidence presented by citizens painted a stark picture of corruption, with many alleging having to pay bribes to mafia agents to expedite passport issuance. The malfunctioning token machine added to the frustration faced by applicants.

Engaging with citizens awaiting passport services, the minister heard firsthand accounts of the challenges they encountered as instances of having to pay bribes to navigate bureaucratic hurdles were brought to his attention.

Furthermore, citizens highlighted the additional burden of paying a "tax" to gain entry to the office premises.The director and assistant director failed to offer satisfactory explanations to any inquiries.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed dismay upon witnessing the state of affairs at the passport office, asserting that soliciting money without providing services is intolerable.

In response, Minister Naqvi promptly replaced both the director and assistant director, while also initiating disciplinary proceedings against the latter.

During Minister Naqvi's visit, citizens and elderly individuals at the passport office aired a litany of grievances. They recounted instances where even the physical walls of the office seemed to demand money, purportedly expediting passport processing upon payment.

Engaging directly with the interior minister, citizens lamented that individuals across the spectrum, from agents to officials, were demanding bribes.

Mohsin Naqvi engaged with citizens, assuring them of his commitment to addressing their grievances and personally investigating the matter. He stressed the government's responsibility to ensure citizens' convenience.

The citizens lauded Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for his past exemplary work and expressed confidence in his ability to enhance the office's operations.