Islamabad: The government has announced plans to cease the issuance of Machine Readable Passports within the next month, transitioning fully to electronic passports, commonly known as e-passports, according to Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. During a session of the National Assembly, Chaudhary stated that following this transition, e-passports will be the sole type issued by Passport Offices and Pakistani missions abroad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the e-passport system will introduce enhanced security measures, including an embedded electronic chip that stores biometric and personal data of the passport holder. This development aims to improve identity verification processes and reduce the risk of forgery, tampering, and fraudulent activities associated with passports.

In a related discussion, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis, Mohammad Awn Saqlain, highlighted ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration. He noted that memorandums of understanding have been signed with countries such as Italy to promote legal migration channels for the Pakistani workforce.

The session also covered tourism and media developments. Parliamentary Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Kiran Imran Dar, reported a gradual increase in international tourist arrivals, with 4.473 million tourists visiting Pakistan over the past two years. The government is collaborating with provincial authorities to enhance tourist facilities and experiences.

In media affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Danyal Chaudhary, indicated optimism regarding the approval of Pakistan Television’s business plan, emphasizing the state media’s role in fostering the national narrative.

Additionally, two bills were introduced in the House: the National Book Foundation Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Pakistan Climate Change Amendment Bill, 2026. The next meeting of the House is scheduled for Monday at five pm.