Sources informed ProPakistani that the DG of Immigration and Passport Offices sent a letter to the Collector of Customs, requesting the clearance of production consumables/ink cartridges on a deferred payment basis. The letter explained that due to a lack of funds or delays in processing claims related to customs duties/taxes, the department has been unable to clear consignments on time, causing difficulties in maintaining passport operations.
However, sources refuted this claim, stating that the passport office spent over Rs. 60 million on building renovations last month and collected millions of rupees from approximately 0.6 million passport applicants in recent months.
Additionally, sources mentioned that the directorate informed the customs collectorate about an incoming consignment of ink cartridges scheduled to arrive at Islamabad International Airport on July 28, 2024, which requires urgent clearance from the Collector of Customs.
It is important to note that the vendor’s delayed dispatch of the necessary ink has led to a backlog of passports, potentially resulting in a national crisis.
Reportedly, around 6.4 million Pakistanis applied for new passports during the last fiscal year, a 61 percent increase from the previous year.
The Directorate General requested permission to receive the consignment of production consumables on a deferred payment basis from customs to avert any crisis in the public interest. The passport office committed to clearing the customs duties/taxes within 15 days of the consignments being released by customs authorities.
Sources suggested that the passport office is intentionally creating funding issues to advance their agenda of elevating the Directorate’s status to an authority.
