Pakistan Embassy to print passports

Currently, passports are only printed in Pakistan causing delays in their delivery to the applicants.

Passport printing machines will be made available in accordance with the directives of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry. The announcement was made by the country’s Interior Minister, Rahman Malik, who also proposed an expansion of the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai.

Malik told media at the consulate on Monday that there were plans to double the number of staff currently working in both missions in line with several new initiatives aimed at improving consular services for Pakistani nationals. “We are addressing issues faced by the Pakistani community in the UAE and I have already discussed ways to improve consular services.”

He also announced a plan for the expansion of the consulate which would follow through in the coming months, subject to approvals. The expansion would include taking up new premises in Dubai, adjacent to the existing consulate building.

Speaking with Khaleej Times, Jamil Ahmed Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, said: “The budget for the proposed expansion has to be approved from Pakistan and we are hoping the approval will happen fast.”

Malik also discussed the prospect of setting up representative offices with deputy consuls-general in Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah to provide people with better access to the services provided by Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

muaz@khaleejtimes.com