'We get targets, not funds': DG passports

DG Passports says targets are given, but funds are scarce; assures backlog will be cleared.

The Director General (DG) of Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi has said that they are given targets but not enough funds, adding that even mobile phones are upgraded these days.

While briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, the DG said that last year they contributed Rs. 50 billion, and so far this year, they have earned Rs. 20 billion.

However, they face severe fund shortages. "We are given targets, but not the necessary funds," he said.

The DG further mentioned that while their authority made efforts, the Finance Ministry opposed their requests.

He appealed for assistance with the revenue-sharing formula, highlighting that even though mobile phones are being upgraded, their department continues to use outdated equipment.

He stated that 20-year-old machines were still in use.

Previously, the capacity was 22,000 passports, but with 25 printers, the capacity has now increased.

They have completely cleared the backlog in the fast-track category, but there is still a backlog of 170,000 in the urgent category, which is expected to be cleared within the next 2-3 weeks.

Two new e-passport machines are also arriving.

The DG assured the committee that the backlog would be cleared by December 15.