Machine readable passports: 33 Pak missions abroad get MRP facility

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of interior has so far installed Machine Readable Passports (MRP) System at the country’s 33 foreign missions to facilitate overseas Pakistanis regarding issuance of passport and visas. Besides, the authorities are in the process of deploying the MRP system at four other Pakistani foreign missions, a task which would be completed by this month. According to ministry of interior on Monday, currently, the government is providing MRP facilities to over 80% of Pakistani community residing abroad. It has also planned to deploy MRP system at 50 foreign missions in current financial year and 22 in next financial year  in a phased manner. Regarding number of Directorate General Immigration & Passports (IMPASS) employees posted at Pakistan missions, the ministry said it is 52 and they are posted on merit.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2014.