Passport Service Hours Extended to Midnight in Eight Major Cities
Regional passport offices in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Quetta will operate in two shifts from 8am to midnight to improve public access and reduce waiting times.
ISLAMABAD: The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has extended working hours at eight regional passport offices across Pakistan, with services set to remain available from 8 am until midnight in two shifts.
Services Extended on Interior Minister’s Directions
According to information released by the department, the measure was taken on the directions of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as part of efforts to improve public access to passport services and reduce waiting times.
The extended working hours will apply at regional passport offices in:
- Faisalabad
- Gujranwala
- Multan
- Bahawalpur
- Peshawar
- Rawalpindi
- Hyderabad
- Quetta
Two Shifts From 8 am to Midnight
Under the new arrangement, the selected offices will operate in two shifts between 8am and 12 midnight, giving applicants a wider window to access passport-related services according to their convenience.
Officials said the initiative is intended to improve service delivery, ease pressure during conventional office hours and help reduce queues and waiting periods at busy passport offices.
Part of Wider Passport Reforms
The move comes amid broader reforms in Pakistan’s passport system.
In June, the government announced measures including a transition toward e-passports, cashless payments and greater digitisation of passport services.
The official Directorate General of Immigration and Passports website also lists 24/7 passport facilities in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
DG Reviews Regional Passport Offices
The latest service-delivery arrangements were also discussed at a meeting chaired by Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa with zonal heads and senior officials.
The meeting reviewed public facilitation, service delivery and policy matters concerning regional passport offices.
The department says improving the accessibility and efficiency of passport services remains a priority.
Its official guidance also states that Pakistani citizens can apply for passport services at any passport office regardless of the address recorded on their CNIC or other relevant identity document.
