The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) is criticized for making the issuance of passports and immigration processes more challenging, despite its intended role of simplifying these procedures.
An illogical rule related to passport applications in Pakistan, where the address on an individual's Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) must match the address of the Passport Office where they apply. This rule poses challenges for people from different cities living in metropolitan areas. It suggests adopting a more flexible system similar to that in Germany, where citizens can apply for passports in different municipalities, albeit with an additional fee, as a potential solution to this issue in Pakistan.
The introduction of an online passport issuance service by DGIP in Pakistan, which is a notable advancement. However, it highlights the service's cumbersome nature due to the requirement of printing a fingerprint form for biometric verification. Moreover, applicants must ensure that their fingerprints are exceptionally clear for approval, making the process more complicated.
The additional complexities of the online passport application process in Pakistan. It mentions that the fingerprint form needs to be scanned at a high resolution of 600 dpi, which many people may find inconvenient as not everyone has a scanner at home. If there are issues with fingerprint clarity or any other problem, applicants must repeat the entire process. Furthermore, DGIP may request an "interview" with applicants, emphasizing that red tape remains a significant part of the passport application process for Pakistani citizens.
A rule that requires married women in Pakistan to have their husband's name on their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to obtain passports. This rule was challenged by Khadija Shah, a lawyer, who was denied a passport renewal at the Lahore High Court's passport office because her ID card listed her father's name instead of her husband's name. Khadija argued that she had already updated her marital status with NADRA and contended that NADRA allows married women to retain their father's name on their ID cards. She asserted that this rule is unfair and against the law, emphasizing that everyone should follow the law. Khadija also argued that this policy violates articles 8(1) and 25 of the Constitution.
Why the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) in Pakistan doesn't adopt a centralized system similar to NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) to simplify processes. This decision is seen as not only causing complications for nationals but also hindering the country's ability to harness its full remittance potential. It criticizes Pakistan's top officials for not learning from the governance systems of first-world countries that prioritize making citizens' lives easier.
Passport Offices in Pakistan face multiple challenges, including procedural issues, inadequate infrastructure, inefficient queuing systems, and untrained staff. These problems have been exacerbated by a significant number of people leaving the country, with 1.37 million emigrating in the last two years. The increased demand for passport services has resulted in longer processing times, with normal delivery now taking 30 days instead of the expected 15 days. DGIP has failed to scale up its workforce to accommodate the growing demand for passport issuance.
0 Comments