Germany-supplied printers enhance passport printing capacity at Islamabad HQ
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The Passport Headquarters in Islamabad has received a batch of modern printers equipped with the latest technology.
These printers, imported from Germany, include two e-printers and six desktop printers, Express News reported.
Director General of Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi visited the e-printer section and was briefed by foreign experts on the installation process.
A foreign technical team has arrived in Pakistan to assist in the installation of the printers, which is expected to be completed soon.
According to Qazi, the new printers are capable of printing 1,000 passports per hour, significantly increasing output and improving the quality of printing. He further added that additional e-printers will arrive in the coming month, further accelerating the passport printing process.
The modern technology is expected to enhance efficiency and the overall quality of passport printing in Pakistan.
Few days ago, Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain took notice of the alleged blocking of overseas Pakistanis' passports and has formally written to the interior ministry seeking an investigation.
The issue was raised by the Pakistan Business Forum France, whose leaders urged the government to take action. Hussain called the matter 'highly sensitive' and stressed that expatriates should not face undue difficulties.
The minister stated that mistreatment of overseas Pakistanis would not be tolerated and announced that facilitation desks would be set up at airports to assist them.
A letter from forum leaders, including Ibrahim Dar, Zahoor Iqbal, and Aslam Chaudhry, alleged that thousands of expatriates have had their passports blocked, with airport staff reportedly demanding bribes of up to Rs500,000.
Authorities have pledged swift action to investigate and resolve the issue.
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