Latest news with #MustafaJamalQazi
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Advanced security features introduced in passport: Minister told
ISLAMABAD: The backlog of passport applications has ended, and advanced security features have been introduced, said Immigration and Passport (I&P) Directorate Director General (DG) Mustafa Jamal Qazi on Wednesday. Qazi said this, while briefing Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal at the passport headquarters. During the visit, the federal minister toured various sections of the Passport Directorate and observed the passport production process. The DG of passports, briefed the minister on the latest advancements in passport lamination and security features. The issue of passport backlog has been eliminated, with all pending passport applications being processed efficiently, Qazi further said. He said that the directorate is providing an easy online passport service for overseas Pakistanis, so that they can access essential services remotely. Thanks to modern printing technologies and state-of-the-art offices, the passport processing time has been significantly reduced, he said. Jamal expressed interest in the incorporation of artificial intelligence in passport production. He emphasised that the timely delivery of passports and the introduction of advanced security features in line with the government's vision is a commendable step forward for Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
13m passports issued in two years
Authorities have issued over 13 million passports in the last two years, including 130,318 to the overseas Pakistanis via online service, as the country witnesses a surge in demand for this vital travel document, according to the annual performance report of the Directorate of Immigration and Passports. According to the report, the directorate has been working round the clock to clear the backlog and provide prompt service to the citizens. It said that the total number of the Pakistani passports issued to the people has reached 232 million. The data showed that for the past 17 years, the authorities have been issuing 3.4 million passports annually. However, a surge has been witnessed in the demand for passport during the last two years. As a result the issuance increased to 6.7 million passports annually. In the last 16 years, the directorate collected a total of Rs295.7 billion as the passport fee. In the last two years, the amount has doubled to Rs40 billion annually. Last year, the department issued 53 Pakistan Citizenship Certificates, 4,447 renunciation certificates and one naturalisation certificate. The report says that the directorate has upgraded its Infrastructure and introduced modern security features. It included 32 new passport counters across the country and round-the-clock passport provision facility in all major cities of the country. Ten modern passport printers and 6 laminators have been purchased for timely printing of passports, while an e-gate system is being introduced on passports across the country linked to e-passports. The passport app has also been updated. During the last year, the passport department has been built as per modern requirements. The department is committed to providing easy services to Pakistani citizens around the world, DG Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi said.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
New citizenship law: Pakistan expands dual nationality to 22 additional countries
Dubai: Pakistan has officially established new dual citizenship agreements with 22 countries under the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, according to media reports. This landmark decision will allow overseas Pakistanis to maintain their Pakistani nationality even after obtaining citizenship in these designated nations. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Interior has approved this significant bill, which aims to resolve the long-standing challenges faced by Pakistanis residing abroad who were previously required to renounce their Pakistani citizenship when acquiring citizenship in countries without such dual nationality arrangements. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, a sub-department of the Ministry of Interior, has confirmed, as per news reports, that Pakistani citizens who become citizens of these 22 countries will no longer need to give up their Pakistani nationality. "The Law Ministry stated, as per media reports, 'We are introducing amendments to restore Pakistani citizenship for those who had to give it up after acquiring foreign nationalities.'" Addressing long-standing issue Chaired by Khurram Nawaz, the committee was informed that the amendment addresses a long-standing issue affecting many overseas Pakistanis. Previously, dual nationality arrangements were limited to a handful of countries, creating legal complications for Pakistanis seeking citizenship elsewhere. The Ministry of Law clarified that many countries require proof of renunciation before granting new citizenship, and the amendment aims to resolve these hurdles for affected individuals. Countries included under the new law Director General of Passports and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi confirmed that formal dual nationality agreements are now in place with countries across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania. The 22 countries now included are: United Kingdom United States Canada Australia France Italy Belgium Iceland New Zealand Finland Egypt Jordan Syria Switzerland Netherlands Sweden Ireland Bahrain Denmark Germany Norway Luxembourg The UK, US, Canada, and Australia were already part of existing dual nationality agreements with Pakistan, while the others represent new additions. More agreements in progress According to the reports, Pakistan has also initiated work toward a similar dual citizenship arrangement with Turkey. A draft proposal is under review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior following Turkiye's suggestion for mutual dual citizenship rights. Chairman Khurram Nawaz welcomed the move, stating that overseas Pakistanis should not be forced to choose between their homeland and their adopted country.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
New law lets Pakistanis hold dual nationality with 22 countries
Listen to article Pakistan has formalised new dual citizenship arrangements with 22 countries under the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, allowing its nationals to retain Pakistani citizenship even after acquiring nationality of these countries. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, a sub-department of the Ministry of Interior, confirmed that Pakistani citizens will no longer be required to renounce their Pakistani nationality if they obtain citizenship from any of the 22 designated countries. This marks a significant departure from the previous policy, under which only a few select countries had such agreements with Pakistan. The bill has been approved by the National Assembly's Standing Committee and is expected to be fully implemented following final parliamentary approval. The Ministry of Law clarified during a recent briefing that many countries require proof of citizenship renunciation before granting new nationality, which created complications for Pakistanis abroad. The amendment aims to resolve these issues and reinstate citizenship rights for affected individuals. Director General of Passports and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi confirmed that formal agreements are now in place with countries across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Oceania. He emphasized that dual nationals will no longer face legal obligations to give up their Pakistani citizenship when acquiring citizenship of these states. Among the countries now included in the agreement are the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland, New Zealand, Finland, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Bahrain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and Luxembourg. The UK, US, Canada, and Australia were already part of existing dual nationality arrangements with Pakistan, while the rest represent new additions. Pakistan has also begun working toward a similar agreement with Turkiye. A draft proposal is being reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior, following Turkiye's suggestion to enable mutual dual citizenship rights between the two countries.
Express Tribune
14-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Germany-supplied printers enhance passport printing capacity at Islamabad HQ
Listen to article 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.
