The Passport and Immigration Office in Pakistan is grappling with a severe ink shortage, compounding the existing delays caused by a lack of lamination paper. This double shortage has brought the printing of both regular and expedited passports to a near standstill, significantly disrupting passport issuance and causing widespread public inconvenience.
Operational Disruptions
Sources within the Passport and Immigration Office reveal that the complete depletion of ink supplies has halted passport printing operations. The recent ink shortage follows a previous crisis involving lamination paper, further exacerbating delays in passport processing. The office’s inability to secure essential materials like ink and lamination paper underscores a significant operational failure.
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Mismanagement and Misallocation of Funds
Insiders attribute the current crisis to mismanagement and incompetence at the highest levels of the Passport and Immigration Office. Reports indicate that approximately 60 million rupees were spent on office renovations, neglecting the procurement of crucial supplies such as ink and lamination paper. This misallocation of funds has left the office ill-equipped to handle passport issuance effectively.
Proposed Changes to the Directorate
Amidst the operational chaos, there are ongoing plans to transform the Directorate of Passport and Immigration into an autonomous authority. This change aims to provide the office with greater control over its budget and operations, similar to the autonomy enjoyed by Principal Accounting Officers in other ministries. However, this transition appears to have diverted attention from addressing immediate supply issues, raising concerns about its impact on passport services.
Public Outcry and Government Response
The shortages have led to significant delays in passport issuance, particularly affecting overseas Pakistanis. During a recent visit to London, the Interior Minister was confronted with complaints from the Pakistani diaspora about the persistent delays in receiving their passports. In response, the minister directed the passport office to expedite services for overseas Pakistanis. However, without resolving the fundamental supply issues, these directives are unlikely to yield significant improvements.
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The ink shortage, combined with the lamination paper issue, highlights a severe lapse in planning and resource management within the Directorate. Immediate intervention is required to replenish ink supplies and ensure that necessary materials are available to resume normal operations. Until these issues are addressed, the Passport and Immigration Office will continue to struggle with delays, leaving many Pakistanis in a state of uncertainty regarding their travel plans.