Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) has a backlog of over 300,000 passports, while the number is increasing by 15,000 with each passing day, informed sources in the DGIP told Business Recorder.
"Non-seriousness to make best use of the available resources is the main cause of backlog, as the available printers and laminators have the capacity to daily produce over 30,000 passports, however the equipment is not being utilized properly," the sources said here on Wednesday.
It is a fact that the available printers and laminators are old and obsolete, but even if they are used properly the backlog would be ended in a week or two, they said, adding that some hidden or vested interests are not ready to remove the backlog, as it is helping them to mint money.
Thousands of people are visiting passport offices all over the country every day and are being asked to apply for an urgent passport than ordinary, which is overburdening the poor people, they said.
At present over 0.5 million routine applications for passports are pending with DGIP from all over Pakistan and they are not being entertained, which has added to the woes of people, sources said, adding that on one hand the government has adopted the policy of 'first come, first serve' while on the other the backlog implies that only a few are being entertained in time.
Well-placed sources in the DGIP are of the view that printers and laminators were provided by the US in 2004 and they have reached their limits. In spite of purchasing modern machinery even after availability of budget the old machinery is being repaired to benefit some people, they added.
They said that funds are being allocated every year for purchase of necessary equipment and other machinery for printing of passports, which are not being purchased due to some internal rift in the department. Huge mass gathering can be witnessed outside passports offices all over Pakistan and even at DGIP headquarters in Islamabad, as people are moving from pillar to post to get their passports even after passing several months.
Business Recorder visited the G-10 (Islamabad) and Golra Morr (Rawalpindi) passport offices and the DGIP headquarters, where people are coming to get their passports. It was observed that there are some agents outside the passport offices who are demanding Rs 3000 to 4000 from people with assurance to get them their passports in three days.
The DGIP sources told this scribe that every day three priority lists are being prepared at the headquarters and people who pay extra money through agents are being given passports on priority, while those who don't pay have to wait for months.
In the past when machines were operational, a normal passport was delivered in 12 days and its cost Rs 2100, but due to backlog it is now taking three to four months while an urgent passport that was delivered in five days costing Rs 4000 is now being delivered in two to three months. Director General of Immigration and Passports, Wajid Ali Bokhari could not be reached for comments.