Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad to lose passport

ID cards to be blocked in a move to bolster national security

ISLAMABAD:

In a significant move concerning national security, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has decided that Pakistani citizens who seek asylum abroad will no longer be issued passports.

Moreover, national identity cards of the asylum-seekers will also be blocked.

According to a directive issued by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, in light of Pakistan’s national interest, any Pakistani who seeks asylum in another country will be denied a passport.

The directive, issued under the guidance of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, instructs that passports should not be provided to those who have applied for or have been granted asylum in other countries.

The directive has been circulated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant authorities.

As a result of the decision, the national identity cards of these individuals will also be blocked. It is noteworthy that the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and Norway are among the most favoured countries for Pakistani asylum seekers.

These countries do not share data with Pakistan, making it difficult for the state to track the visa status of its citizens residing abroad.

Therefore, considering national interest, the state has decided not to issue passports to these individuals.