Passport counters to remain open Saturdays for two months

Passport delivery counters across Pakistan will remain open every Saturday for the next two months to

Passport delivery counters across Pakistan will remain open every Saturday for the next two months to facilitate citizens collecting their ready passports, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced.

Under the temporary arrangement, delivery counters will operate from 8am to 4pm every Saturday.

The department said citizens could collect their passports on Saturdays in addition to the normal working days. The decision is aimed at providing greater convenience to applicants and reducing delays in passport collection.

Authorities have also advised citizens to collect their ready passports without unnecessary delay. Passports that remain uncollected for more than six months will be disposed of in accordance with government rules.

The Saturday service comes as part of broader efforts to improve passport-related services and make the process easier for the public.

The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports had earlier introduced a doorstep passport delivery service. Under the facility, applicants can have their passports delivered to their registered addresses instead of visiting passport offices to collect them.

The service was launched on the directions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of measures to improve public services and streamline passport delivery.

The government has also been working to introduce greater use of digital and cashless services at passport offices across the country.

Naqvi had earlier announced that cashless payment facilities would be made operational at passport offices nationwide. The move was aimed at reducing queues and cutting down the time applicants spend at passport offices.