Pakistan ramps up documentation for citizens seeking legal status in Spain

The government has decided to issue passports and other documents within one week to facilitate Pakistanis before the launch of Spain’s registration process.

The development came during a special meeting chaired by ‎Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, along with Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Salik Hussain ‎, at the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday to review progress regarding Spanish residence cards for Pakistanis.

Minister of State for Interior, the Federal Secretary of Interior, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis, DG FIA, Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MD OPF, and senior officials from NADRA and the Passport Department attended the meeting. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, Consul General Barcelona Muhammad Ali Wazir and the Community Welfare Attaché participated via Zoom, read an official statement.

Govt to expedite Spain Resident Card process for Pakistani applicants

‎‎During the meeting, ‎‎Federal Minister Salik Hussain stated that around 15,000 Pakistanis would benefit from the scheme. He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Interior for its full support to overseas Pakistanis in Spain.

‎Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that the prompt issuance of passports to overseas Pakistanis is the government’s top priority.

He directed authorities to ensure that no criminal or wanted individual is issued a passport. He also ordered the immediate provision of additional staff for the passport section at the embassy.

‎Naqvi further stated that the verification process of the National Police Bureau for police character certificates has been simplified and accelerated, and that such certificates are being issued on a priority basis.

‎‎Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain and the Consul General of Barcelona briefed the meeting that all relevant institutions are working together to ensure the timely provision of necessary documents to Pakistanis.

They added that there has been significant improvement in the issuance of character certificates and passports, and that the embassy and consulate have so far issued authority letters to 10,000 individuals.