In a surprising turn of events, the Passport Office in Garden Town, Lahore, has yet to implement the round-the-clock service, despite explicit directives from the Passport and Immigration Department. This development has sparked concerns about the efficiency of passport services and compliance with government orders.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had previously mandated 24/7 operations for passport offices to expedite the passport issuance process and better serve citizens. The Passport and Immigration Department subsequently issued a notification detailing three shifts for passport offices in Lahore and Karachi: 8am-4pm, 4pm-12am, and 12am-8am.
However, the Garden Town office in Lahore has not yet initiated its night shift, causing frustration among citizens who had hoped that extended operating hours would reduce congestion and long waiting times typically experienced during regular office hours.
Minister Naqvi announced this initiative on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, highlighting its potential to transform public access to passport facilities. He assured that at least one passport office in each city would operate 24/7, starting May 7.
The Regional Passport Office at Awami Markaz Sharea Faisal in Karachi and the Regional Passport Office in Garden Town, Lahore, were expected to lead this innovative service.
However, the recent shortage of lamination sheets, a vital component in passport production imported from Germany, poses a challenge. These sheets are essential for ensuring the security features of passports. The delay in implementing 24/7 services underscores the ongoing challenges in providing efficient passport services.
