London, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has mandated a significant acceleration in passport issuance for overseas Pakistanis, setting strict new timelines during his visit to passport and NADRA centers in London on Wednesday. The move aims to drastically reduce the waiting times for passport services, which had previously extended up to four months.

According to Press Information Department, Minister Naqvi directed that urgent passports should now be issued within 7 days and normal passports within 30 days. This directive is to be implemented across all Pakistani missions globally, marking a substantial policy shift intended to enhance the efficiency of consular services. Previously, Pakistanis abroad faced waits of up to one and a half months for urgent passports and four months for normal passports.

During his visit, Naqvi also established a monitoring cell, led by his PSO, ASP Sher Bano Naqvi, to ensure compliance with the new timelines and address any delays promptly. Overseas Pakistanis who experience delays beyond the stipulated time frames can now lodge complaints directly via a dedicated email address: complaints.passport@interior.gov.pk.

The minister took further steps to address staffing shortages at the passport and NADRA centers, instructing for improved staff management to better meet service demands. He met with the staff and commended the NADRA team for their service, urging continued efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of the Pakistani diaspora.

Accompanied by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Naqvi’s visit underscored the government’s commitment to serving its citizens abroad and addressing their consular needs promptly.