Pakistan Cuts Official Blue Passports to 49,000 From 74,000, DG Tells Senate Deputy Chairman
Official blue passports have been brought down to 49,000 from 74,000, DG Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa told Senate Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar.
Highlights
- Official (blue) passports have been brought down to 49,000 from 74,000
- DG Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa disclosed the figures on Wednesday
- He shared the information with Senate Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar
- Passport issuance through Nadra in the near future was also discussed
The number of official, or blue, passports has been brought down to 49,000 from 74,000 in keeping with international obligations and administrative requirements, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, the director general of Immigration and Passports, disclosed on Wednesday, according to Dawn, 5 Nov 2026. He shared this information with Syedaal Khan Nasar, the deputy chairman of Senate, during a meeting.
What was discussed in the meeting
The existing mechanism for issuance of passports, institutional performance, security features and facilities being provided to the public came under discussion during the meeting, Dawn, 5 Nov 2026 reported. The meeting also discussed the proposed introduction of passport issuance facilities through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in the near future, further strengthening passport security and measures to improve the country’s ranking, according to the report.
A cut of 25,000 blue passports is a significant tightening of a category meant for official travel. Bringing the number down in line with international obligations suggests a review of who genuinely qualifies — a governance step of the same kind voters watch when institutions enforce their own rules, as when the ECP warned MQM-P it could lose its election symbol over delayed intra-party polls.
Technology and public facilitation
Mr Nasar appreciated the government’s initiatives aimed at improving the passport issuance system, promoting the use of modern technology and enhancing public facilitation, Dawn, 5 Nov 2026 reported. He termed the performance of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports and its efforts towards institutional reforms commendable, emphasising the need to further modernise the system in line with contemporary requirements.
Mr Nasar said the use of modern technology, digital systems and automation should be expanded at all stages of passport issuance to make the entire process, from submission of an application to passport delivery, faster, more transparent and accessible, according to Dawn. “Effective use of modern technology and improved administrative strategies could further strengthen public confidence in the institution,” Mr Nasar added, as quoted by Dawn. He emphasised that citizens should not face unnecessary delays, prolonged waiting periods or administrative complications, and that an effective mechanism must be ensured for the prompt resolution of complaints.
Relief measures also highlighted
The deputy chairman also met tribal elders, lawyers, representatives of civil society, students and other prominent personalities, Dawn, 5 Nov 2026 reported. During these interactions, matters relating to problems faced by the masses and the prevailing political situation were discussed. Mr Nasar briefed the delegations about measures taken by the government to promote economic growth, control inflation and provide relief to the nation, according to Dawn. He cited the reduction in fuel prices as one such step — the context for which is Pakistan’s petrol price cut of Rs5.45 in its second reduction in a week — and expressed the hope that it would have a knock-on effect on the prices of other commodities.
