Major passport facility introduced for Pakistanis residing in UK

ISLAMABAD: Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the facility to apply for passports without prior booking for British Pakistanis intending to perform Hajj this year.

The minister said that it has been decided that Pakistani passports of those intending to perform Hajj in 2025 will be processed and renewed on a priority basis.

British pilgrims of Pakistani origin can now apply for passports without prior booking at the Pakistan High Commission in London.

This facility will also be available at Pakistani consulates in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Bradford.

Earlier, all applicants had to book an appointment before visiting the High Commission or Consulate to apply for a passport.

Earlier, Naqvi said that 10 passport processing counters have been set up in the site areas of NADRA Mega Centres in Nazimabad and Siemens Chowrangi in Karachi.

The counters will provide round-the-clock services to citizens as this move will reduce the waiting time of applicants.

DG Immigration and Passport Mustafa Jamal Qazi said that 24-hour passport processing counters are being expanded across the country. The office in Islamabad is already functioning 24 hours.

The offices in Karachi, Awami Markaz and Garden Town in Lahore are also open for the public 24 hours a day. The issue of delay in issuing passports has been given full attention. A seamless process and timely issuance is being ensured for the citizens.