Pakistan Digitalization / Automation

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Pakistan to fully shift to e-passports​

Iftikhar A. Khan
June 19, 2026

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, chairing a meeting at the Immigration and Passports Headquarters, Islamabad, on June 19, 2026. — APP

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Friday, saying the move will offer advanced security, global compatibility and a seamless airport experience.

Chairing a special meeting at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters, Naqvi said the complete transition would eliminate fraud and forgery.

“The complete transition to e-passports will end fraud and forgery related to passports,” he said.

Director General Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the minister on the reforms. The meeting approved in principle to shift to e-passports, though no cutoff date for phasing out old passports was set.

Source:
https://www.dawn.com/news/2009117/pakistan-to-fully-shift-to-e-passports