In an effort to solve the passport printing problem, the authorities have announced the acquisition of significant new equipment.
The plan includes the acquisition of 20 new laminators and printers, 5 modern RMP (Reprint Management Printers) and 2 electronic passport printers.
The introduction of these new machines is intended to significantly improve passport production capacity. According to the authorities, the new printers and laminators will allow the issuance of up to 1,000 passports per hour.
This upgrade is expected to increase the daily printing capacity from the current 22,000 to around 55,000 passports.
In preparation for this increased production, authorities have also ordered laminating paper for the next six months. This strategic move is expected to ease the backlog, with operations expected to return to normal by the last week of September.
To further support increased production, the authorities have decided to purchase additional printers twice a year, which will ensure a permanent increase in printing capacity.
In addition, a new database system will be created to expedite processing to enable faster verification of data from institutions such as NADRA.
The decision follows concerns raised during a session of the National Assembly where members of the Pakistan People’s Party issued a “caution” regarding the delay in issuing passports.
In response, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar assured that the introduction of the new system would resolve passport printing issues by September.
