The passport authority has revised the fees for the expedited passport category with a significant hike from May 8.
According to recent reports, the fee for a 36-page Machine Readable (MR) passport with a five-year validity has increased to $12,500. Similarly, the cost for a 72-page five-year passport will now be $18,500, and the cost of a 100-page passport will be $23,000.
Additionally, the cost of MR 36, 72 and 100 page passports with 10-year validity has also been increased.
In addition to this amendment, the passport office has introduced new fees for faster processing. Expressway fees for 100-, 72-, and 36-page passports will be $25,200, $32,000, and $16,200, respectively.
This fee revision is part of the government’s efforts to facilitate the passport process and ensure efficient service to citizens.
On the other hand, the passport office at Bagtown, Lahore has not started the night shift as per notification, despite the instructions from the Passport and Immigration Department to keep the passport office open every day.
The failure to introduce the night shift has created frustration among citizens who rely on timely passport services. Many are hoping for extended working hours to ease the congestion and long waiting times they usually experience during regular business hours.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi announced the launch of 24/7 passport services in Karachi and Lahore.
The Department of Passports and Immigration has issued a notification indicating three shifts under this directive: 8 am to 4 pm, 4 pm to 12 pm and 12 to 8 pm for passport offices in Lahore and Karachi.
