The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has taken a significant step to enhance citizen convenience by expanding its ‘Fast Track’ passport service. Previously limited to a few major cities, this premium service has now been rolled out to a total of 47 locations nationwide. This initiative aims to streamline the passport application process and reduce waiting times for applicants.
Expansion of Service: From 7 Cities to 47
Initially, the Fast Track service was available in major metropolitan areas including:
- Islamabad
- Karachi
- Lahore
- Peshawar
- Quetta
- Sialkot
- Multan
Now, the service has been extended to 26 additional cities to better serve citizens across Pakistan. The newly included cities are:
- Attock
- Haripur
- Chakwal
- Batkhela
- Sargodha
- Swabi
- Bhalwal
- Nowshera
- Hafizabad
- Karak
- Mianwali
- Mansehra
- Bhakkar
- Muzaffarabad
- Kohat
- Mirpur (AJK)
- Dera Ismail Khan
- Bagh
- Swat
- Rawalakot
- Abbottabad
- Kotli
- Bannu
- Sudhanoti
- Hangu
- Bhimber
With this extension, citizens in these regions can now enjoy a faster and more efficient passport application experience.
Key Objectives of the Fast Track Service Expansion
The primary goals of expanding the Fast Track service include:
- Reduced Waiting Times: By offering Fast Track services in more locations, the overall processing time for passport applications will be significantly reduced.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Citizens residing in smaller cities and less urbanized areas can now access premium passport services without traveling to distant metropolitan centers.
- Greater Convenience: The initiative aims to make the passport issuance process simpler, faster, and more efficient for applicants.
Implementation and System Updates
Zonal heads have been directed to oversee the smooth implementation of the Fast Track service in the newly included locations. Additionally, the Director (Databases) has been instructed to update the Passport Processing System (PPS) to integrate these cities into the Fast Track service category. This system upgrade will ensure that the changes are accurately reflected and seamlessly operational.
Collaboration with Pakistan Post
To ensure the successful rollout of the expanded service, the notification issued by Assistant Director (Policy-I) Hafiz Abdul Nasir has been shared with all relevant authorities, including Pakistan Post. This collaboration will play a crucial role in facilitating the efficient delivery of passport-related services.
Conclusion
The expansion of the Fast Track passport service marks a significant improvement in public service delivery by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports. With 47 locations now offering faster processing, citizens across Pakistan can expect a more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly passport application process. This step reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging innovative solutions for better service delivery and improved convenience for all.
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