Address restriction for passport removed

ISLAMABAD:

The director general of Immigration and Passport has issued new guidelines for all passport offices, removing the requirement for applicants to apply at the district office corresponding to the address on their CNICs.

Now, citizens can apply for a passport from any office across the country. The development comes after the federal government made amendment to the passport rules, allowing the citizens to get their passports from any city in the country.

A notification of amendment in the passport rules has been sent to the passport regional offices to facilitate the citizens, according to officials.

Directorate General (DG) of Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi said the new decision by the federal government was made in light of the difficulties faced by the citizens.

An official statement said the citizens passports applications will not be refused if their residential address on CNIC is different from the area they are applying for the travel document.

Earlier in August, addressing prolonged delays in the issuance of passports leading to increasing complaints.