Naqvi orders expansion of Karachi passport office

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed authorities to expand the passport office at Awami Markaz to facilitate citizens seeking travel documents.

KARACHI: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed authorities to expand the passport office at Awami Markaz to facilitate citizens seeking travel documents.

During his visit to the facility on Saturday, Naqvi interacted with passport applicants and asked about the waiting time between token issuance and their turn at the counters.

Officials said several citizens expressed satisfaction with the passport issuance process and reported that their applications were being processed within a few minutes.

The minister reviewed the arrangements at the centre and emphasised the need to improve facilities for applicants. He directed officials to take steps to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

Naqvi also visited Jinnah International Airport to inspect immigration arrangements. During his visit, he was informed about a malfunction in the immigration system and contacted the relevant authorities to ensure the issue was resolved immediately.

He instructed officials to establish alternative arrangements whenever technical problems occur, stressing that immigration operations should continue without interruption.

The minister also interacted with passengers travelling abroad and asked them about their experience at immigration counters.

Naqvi directed immigration authorities to take strict action against passengers travelling with fraudulent documents. He also made it clear that passengers carrying incomplete or unverified documentation should not be permitted to travel.

The minister’s visit comes amid efforts by the Interior Ministry to improve passport and immigration services and strengthen monitoring at entry and exit points.

The Awami Markaz passport office has previously come under scrutiny. In June, several officials were suspended after a foreign national was reportedly issued a Pakistani passport from the facility.

Naqvi has made several surprise visits to public service centres in Karachi in recent months to inspect operations and assess the quality of services being provided to citizens.

He also visited a National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) mega centre in Safoora Goth in July as part of inspections aimed at improving public-facing government services.