Pakistan has officially announced a massive upgrade to its travel documents. The government plans to gradually replace traditional machine-readable passports (MRPs) with a fully digital e-passport system. Consequently, citizens will soon handle the entire application process online. They can apply for passports, pay the required fees digitally, and receive their physical passports directly at their homes.
Director General of Passports Muhammad Abdul Khaliq shared these details recently on a private news channel. He stated that this initiative leverages digital technology to modernize passport services and simplify the application journey.
Furthermore, Pakistan has already laid the groundwork for this transition. The country initially introduced its first e-passport system in 2022. Later, authorities upgraded the system in 2025 to meet strict international standards. Now, these upgraded e-passports utilize laser engraving technology and embed digital security certificates. Therefore, they are highly secure against forgery.
To facilitate users, the government will run the new e-passport system through a mobile app integrated with NADRA’s Pak ID platform. Through this app, applicants will quickly upload their photographs and all supporting documents. Additionally, they will pay their passport fees entirely online using mobile banking apps and digital wallets.
Meanwhile, the government is finalizing Pakistan’s registration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Once this process concludes, Pakistani e-passports will gain broader compatibility with e-gates worldwide. Ultimately, this integration will guarantee much faster immigration clearance at international airports.
However, the digital shift includes built-in alternatives for edge cases. Sometimes, applicants might face biometric verification failures or online submission errors. In such scenarios, they will still be able to complete their process in person at physical passport offices or NADRA centers. Moreover, authorities will accept digital documents and conduct online interviews where required to keep the process moving.
