Passports for asylum seekers restored

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has withdrawn its earlier decision to halt the issuance of Pakistani passports to individuals seeking political asylum abroad.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The meeting, which focused on the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, was attended by key officials including the secretary of foreign affairs, secretary of interior, the DG of IMPASS, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the session, DPM Dar received a detailed briefing from the interior secretary and the IMPASS DG regarding the facilitation of timely passport issuance for Pakistanis living overseas.

The meeting decided to immediately withdraw the circular dated June 5, 2024, which had suspended the issuance of Pakistani passports to asylum seekers abroad.

Officials assured the deputy prime minister that passports for overseas Pakistanis would now be issued within 60 days, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens abroad.