Islamabad, In a significant move to streamline administrative processes, President Dr. Arif Alvi has promulgated the Apostille Ordinance 2024, which eliminates the requirement for attestation of foreign public documents in Pakistan.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ordinance was issued to ease the bureaucratic burden on citizens both in Pakistan and abroad. It aligns with Pakistan’s commitment to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) of 1961, which aims to simplify the authentication of documents to be used internationally.

Under the Apostille Convention, the traditional requirement of multiple legalizations or attestations for the use of public documents abroad is waived. This move by the President, made upon the advice of the Prime Minister and in accordance with Article 89 (1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is expected to significantly facilitate international transactions and engagements involving Pakistani citizens.

The promulgation of the Apostille Ordinance 2024 represents a key step towards reducing red tape and enhancing the efficiency of document processing for Pakistanis dealing with foreign public documents.