The Pakistan consulate has announced that it will now start providing its expatriates with machine-readable passports, to speed up services and reduce queuing outside its offices.
At a press conference at the consulate on Wednesday, Consul General Aftab Khokhar said a limited number of Pakistanis could start making their appointments for the new passports from next week.
A group of 50 people would be allowed to make appointments, on the phone or by visiting the consulate. He said the normal passport service where applicants have to queue would continue from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for about 200 people daily.
“We know that in the beginning we will face some hurdles so we are asking the community to cooperate with us. Through this service people will get relief from standing in lines for hours and it will also reduce the burden on the consulate,” he said.
He said the consulate plans to ensure the entire service can be done through appointments. “This will save people time and energy. The consulate is also introducing a courier service for applicants to get their passports,” he said.
In the beginning, applicants will be allowed to make appointments a week in advance, but this will be extended to two weeks and then a month in advance.
He said the new passports would be available in 36, 72 and 100 pages, which would cost SR155, SR280 and SR305 respectively. The fees for emergency passports would be SR255, SR455 and SR605. Applicants will receive their emergency passports between 15 and 20 days.
People can make their appointments on the toll free number 08111081412 or the consulate landline number 6692371 at extension 242. The consulate would soon have an online facility to make appointments, he said.
New digital passport service for Pakistanis
