Public cautioned over multiple passports

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has warned citizens that obtaining or possessing more than one passport by concealing information is a punishable offence under Pakistani law and may lead to imprisonment and legal action.

An official said on Saturday that such cases usually emerge when individuals attempt to evade travel restrictions, including deportation records, inclusion in the Exit Control List (ECL) or previous immigration violations.

He said some people attempt to obtain a second passport either under the same identity or a different identity by hiding the existence of an already issued passport, which is a clear violation of the law.

The official said under Section 6(1)(j) of the Passports Act 1974, obtaining multiple ordinary passports through concealment of facts is a criminal offence punishable with up to three years imprisonment and/or fine.

He explained that limited exceptions exist, such as possession of an ordinary passport alongside an official or diplomatic passport, but only with proper authorisation and a complete official record.

According to the official, individuals placed on the Exit Control List are strictly prohibited from obtaining another passport, while modern biometric systems and national databases make detection of such attempts easier.

He further warned that misuse of identity documents or obtaining passports through fraudulent means could also result in future refusal of passport issuance.

The official advised citizens to immediately inform relevant authorities if their passport is lost, stolen or damaged and obtain a new passport through the prescribed legal procedure instead of concealing facts to acquire another document.