The Pakistani government has recently raised fees for fast-track passport applications, effective from May 8. This decision comes amidst a backlog in passport clearance, primarily caused by a shortage of lamination paper. Consequently, the waiting time for passport issuance has extended to several months.
The new fee structure for passports is as follows:
- 36-page passport valid for 5 years: Rs 12,500
- 10-year passport: Rs 16,200
- 5-year 72-page travel document: Rs 18,500
- 10-year validity for the 72-page document: Rs 25,200
- 100-page passport with 10-year validity: Rs 32,000
This fee increase, sanctioned by the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P), is part of a broader effort to enhance passport services and incorporate better security features. Currently, passports are being issued primarily to applicants who pay urgent or fast-track fees, leading to a significant backlog of pending passports.
