The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is making it easier for Pakistani citizens to get their documents attested for international use. In collaboration with courier companies, MoFA has launched a new service to streamline the apostille attestation process.
What is Apostille Attestation?
Apostille attestation is a simplified method of authentication for public documents that are intended for use in countries that are part of the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). Pakistan acceded to this convention in 2023.
Traditionally, document legalization involved a lengthy and expensive process of getting documents verified by various authorities. The Apostille Convention eliminates this by establishing a single formality: the issuance of an apostille certificate by the designated authority in the issuing country.
How Does the New Service Work?
Under the new initiative, residents of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi can avail themselves of the new service through designated courier companies. These companies include TCS, M&P, Gerry’s, Leopard, and ECS.
Applicants can simply hand over their documents to these authorized courier companies, who will then handle the apostille attestation process with MoFA. It’s important to note that currently, Power of Attorney documents are not accepted through this service.
Benefits of the New Service
This new service by MoFA offers several benefits to Pakistani citizens seeking apostille attestation:
- Convenience: The courier companies will collect documents from your doorstep, eliminating the need to visit government offices.
- Efficiency: The streamlined process reduces the time and effort required for attestation.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The courier service might offer competitive rates compared to handling the process yourself.
Overall, this new initiative by MoFA is a welcome development that will make the apostille attestation process simpler and more accessible for Pakistani citizens.
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