In response to a surge in complaints regarding prolonged delays in passport printing, the Federal Ombudsman, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, has stepped in to investigate and address the issue.
The Ombudsman has formed an inspection team led by a senior advisor.
The primary objective of this team is to visit the Directorate General of Passport office, identify the reasons behind the delays, and recommend corrective measures.
The inspection team will also engage directly with complainants, listening to their concerns and holding discussions with the administration of the Directorate General of Passport.
This collaborative effort aims to gain insights into the steps being taken to resolve public grievances effectively.
Complaints filed with the Federal Ombudsman Office have highlighted significant challenges, especially in cases involving passport renewal and expedited processing fees.
It has been reported that around 400,000 passports are currently pending processing within the directorate.
Recent reports indicate that the Directorate General of Passport continues to face challenges, particularly in recovering from a shortage of lamination paper.
Despite acquiring the necessary materials, the department has struggled to clear the backlog, leading to an extended passport delivery time of up to three months in major cities across Pakistan.
The Federal Ombudsman's intervention seeks to address these issues and streamline the passport issuance process for the public.
