DG Immigration and Passports Mustafa Qazi, while briefing the Interior Committee, stated that all year-long efforts were made to secure funds from the Ministry of Finance, as 20-year-old machines were being used.
He mentioned that previously, 75,000 passports were being produced daily, although the capacity was 22,000. However, with 25 printers now available, the capacity has increased.
Mustafa Qazi further stated that the backlog in the Fast Track category has been completely cleared, but there is a backlog of 170,000 in the Urgent category. He assured that the backlog will be cleared in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
He also mentioned that two new e-passport machines are arriving, and so far, they have generated 50 billion rupees last year and 20 billion rupees this year. He added that mobile phones are continuously being upgraded, but they face a severe shortage of funds.
The DG Immigration and Passports said that the authority has made efforts, but the Ministry of Finance opposed them. They are given targets but not provided with funds, and he asked for assistance in the revenue-sharing formula.
Sahar Kamran asked what strategy they have to clear the backlog, as there are often shortages of paper and ink.
Abdul Qadir Patel suggested that it seems there is a conspiracy against the DG Passports, questioning why the backlog only appeared after his appointment. He also inquired about the procurement process for machines and the costs involved.
The DG Passports explained that after the pandemic, the demand for passports increased. For printers, they conducted international tenders rather than local ones. He highlighted that German printers are the most advanced in the world, capable of processing 4,000 passports per hour. When he took office, there was a backlog of 1.5 million, which they have now cleared. German printers are both cheaper and have higher printing capacities.
The committee chairman asked, “Qazi Sahib, give me a date. When will you finish the backlog?
