The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has officially directed all zonal heads to process passport renewal applications on a priority basis to address growing public complaints regarding delays. This directive follows an online session chaired by the Director General to review the current backlog and streamline the issuance system across the country.

Streamlining the passport renewal process

To ensure that citizens do not face unnecessary hurdles, the department has mandated a shift in focus toward clearing pending renewal files immediately. The passport renewal in Pakistan has been a major point of concern for travelers and overseas workers, with many reporting weeks of waiting time. By prioritizing these applications, the authorities aim to normalize the delivery timeline and reduce the burden on regional passport offices.

During the online meeting, the Director General emphasized that zonal heads are now responsible for the performance of their respective regions. Officials have been instructed to monitor the daily output of applications and ensure that technical glitches or administrative bottlenecks are resolved without delay. This move is designed to restore efficiency to a system that has struggled with high demand and supply chain constraints over the past several months.

What you need to do

If you have a pending application, you should check your status through the official website: onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk.

  • Visit the portal regularly to track the progress of your application using your tracking ID.
  • If your application has been stuck beyond the standard processing time, visit your local zonal office with your receipt.
  • Ensure your documentation is complete and that all fee payments have been verified to avoid administrative rejections.

What to watch next

Citizens should monitor the official DGIP website for updates regarding regional processing times. While this directive aims to speed up the process, the actual impact on delivery times will depend on how quickly zonal offices implement these internal reforms. If you are planning international travel, it remains advisable to apply for renewals at least two months in advance until the backlog is fully cleared and processing speeds stabilize across all major cities.