ISLAMABAD: In a decisive move to support Pakistani nationals seeking legal residency in Spain, Pakistan has paced efforts to expedite the issuance of essential documents, including passports and police character certificates, ahead of Spain’s upcoming registration process for undocumented immigrants.
The initiative was announced during a high-level meeting chaired jointly by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Salik Hussain at the Ministry of Interior, where officials reviewed progress on the facilitation of Spanish residence cards for Pakistani citizens.
High-level meeting reviews progress
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from across relevant institutions. Attendees included the Minister of State for Interior, Federal Secretary Interior, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Managing Director of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), as well as senior officials from NADRA and the Passport Department.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, Consul General Barcelona, Muhammad Ali Wazir, and the Community Welfare Attaché participated in the proceedings via Zoom, providing on-ground updates from Spain.
Documents to be issued within one week
During the meeting, it was decided that passports and other requisite documents would be issued to eligible Pakistani citizens within one week. The accelerated timeline aims to ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed before Spain launches its registration process designed to regularize undocumented immigrants.
The move is expected to significantly ease the process for thousands of Pakistanis seeking to obtain legal status in the European country.
15,000 Pakistanis to benefit, says Salik Hussain
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Salik Hussain highlighted the scale of the initiative, stating that approximately 15,000 Pakistani nationals are poised to benefit from the Spanish regularization scheme.
He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Interior for its full cooperation and unwavering support toward overseas Pakistanis in Spain, acknowledging the collaborative efforts across ministries to achieve the shared objective.
Naqvi Prioritises prompt issuance, orders enhanced security checks
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi underscored that the timely issuance of passports to overseas Pakistanis remains a top priority for the government. He directed relevant authorities to ensure that the process is carried out with both speed and strict scrutiny.
He issued explicit instructions that no criminal or wanted individual be issued a passport, reinforcing the importance of maintaining national security protocols while facilitating law-abiding citizens.
To further streamline operations, Naqvi ordered the immediate deployment of additional staff to the passport section at Pakistan’s embassy in Spain, ensuring that the mission is adequately equipped to handle the anticipated surge in applications.
Simplified process for police character certificates
Naqvi also announced that the verification process for police character certificates, a critical requirement for the Spanish residency application, has been simplified and accelerated through the National Police Bureau. Such certificates are now being issued on a priority basis, removing a key bottleneck that previously delayed documentation for many applicants.
Embassy reports progress: 10,000 authority letters issued
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain and the Consul General Barcelona briefed the meeting on the operational progress made at the diplomatic missions. They confirmed that all relevant institutions are working in close coordination to ensure the timely provision of necessary documents to Pakistani citizens.
Officials reported significant improvement in the issuance of both character certificates and passports, noting that the embassy and consulate have so far issued authority letters to 10,000 individuals, marking substantial progress toward the overall target.
A timely initiative
As Spain prepares to launch its regularization process for undocumented immigrants, Pakistan’s proactive approach to documentation reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of its citizens abroad. The coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, diplomatic missions, and allied institutions are expected to ensure that thousands of Pakistanis can secure legal status in Spain without administrative delays.
With streamlined procedures, enhanced staffing, and inter-agency coordination now in place, Pakistan stands poised to deliver on its promise of timely and secure documentation for its citizens seeking a lawful path forward in Spain.
