Pakistan is planning to modernize its passport services by gradually replacing traditional machine-readable Passports with a fully digital e-passport system. The new initiative is designed to make the application process faster, easier, and more secure for citizens.
Director General of Passports Muhammad Abdul Khaliq shared details of the plan during an interview with ARY News. He said the government wants to improve passport services through digital technology and reduce the need for applicants to visit passport offices.
According to Khaliq, Pakistan introduced its first e-passport in 2022. The system was upgraded in 2025 to meet international standards. The latest version includes advanced security features, such as laser engraving technology and digital security certificates. These improvements make the new Passports more secure and harder to forge.
The government is also completing Pakistan’s registration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Once the process is complete, Pakistani e-passports will become more compatible with electronic immigration gates at airports around the world.
This development will allow travelers to pass through immigration more quickly at airports that support e-gate technology. It is expected to improve the overall travel experience for Pakistani citizens.
Under the upcoming digital system, people will be able to submit passport applications through a mobile app linked with NADRA’s Pak ID platform. Applicants can upload photographs and required documents directly from their smartphones.
The platform will also allow users to pay passport fees online using mobile banking applications and digital wallets. After the application is approved, the new Passports will be delivered directly to the applicant’s home.
The online system aims to reduce paperwork and make government services more accessible. Citizens living in remote areas are also expected to benefit from the digital application process.
Officials said some applicants may still need to visit passport offices or NADRA centers. This will apply if biometric verification cannot be completed online or if technical issues arise during the application.
Authorities also plan to accept digital documents for eligible applications. In cases where further verification is required, interviews may also be conducted online.
The government believes the new system will improve efficiency while maintaining strong security standards. Digital verification and modern document protection are expected to reduce fraud and simplify the overall application process.
The Directorate General of Passports says the transition will take place gradually. Existing machine-readable passports will eventually be replaced as the digital system expands across the country.
The initiative reflects Pakistan’s broader efforts to digitize public services and improve convenience for citizens. Once fully implemented, the new system will allow most passport-related tasks to be completed online, from application submission to fee payment and home delivery.
In other related news also read Pakistan Introduces Significant Digital Upgrade to Passports
The introduction of digital Passports is expected to make passport services faster, more secure, and better aligned with international travel standards while giving citizens a simpler and more efficient way to obtain travel documents.
