ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has enabled cashless transactions at all passport offices across the country, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Wednesday, saying the move would help cut long queues and ensure speedier service for citizens.
Citizens every day wait in long queues at passport offices across the country to have new passports issued or renew existing ones. Most transactions at passport offices across Pakistan involve cash.
“Alhamdulillah, starting today, cashless transactions are operational at all Passport Offices across Pakistan,” Naqvi said in a post on X. “This is another step toward making public services faster, more transparent, and more convenient for our citizens.”
Naqvi highlighted that the initiative was launched under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s directives. He said it would ensure that applicants no longer have to wait in long queues for hours to make payments at passport offices.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports explained the payment process in a post on X, saying that applicants will simply have to scan a QR code, make the payment, and get their passports made.
“Through any banking app or digital wallet, this 24/7 payment facility is available,” the post read.
Pakistan issues machine-readable and e-passports for better security and easier travel.
The latest move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to transition toward a cashless economy. Sharif has repeatedly said Islamabad intends to adopt cashless transactions to reduce corruption, tax evasion and increase financial transparency.
