ISLAMABAD: The backlog of unprinted passports has reached 600,000 in the Islamabad passport office as the printing of normal and urgent passports has come to a halt due to the unavailability of the lamination paper, which could not be imported despite the assurance of the interior ministry.
The urgent passports that are available within a week could not be printed for two months because of the lack of lamination paper.
People who intend to perform Umrah have also been faced with problems due to the passport backlog.
Those who intend to go abroad on work visas and students for study have also been faced with issues due to the passport backlog.
The interior ministry had assured to start the process of printing of passports on Monday last. The interior minister had also asked the passport director general to resolve the problem immediately.
The purchase of the lamination paper has been completed; however, it is yet to come to Pakistan, according to media reports.
Passports Printing to Start Within 24 Hours
The printing of passports will start within twenty-four hours of receiving the lamination paper.
It is expected that the passport office will start to receive the lamination paper within the next 48 hours.
