Govt extends passport office hours to facilitate citizens
Under the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the selected offices will now operate in two shifts from 8:00 am to 12:00 am.
The decision aims to give people more time to apply for passport services and complete related procedures. Officials said the extended schedule would also help reduce pressure and waiting times at passport offices.
Eight cities to get extended passport services
The new timings will apply to regional passport offices in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and Bahawalpur. Passport offices in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Quetta will also operate under the extended schedule.
The move covers several major cities where a large number of people use passport-related services. By keeping the offices open until midnight, authorities hope to provide greater convenience to citizens who cannot visit during regular daytime hours.
Offices to operate in two shifts
Under the new arrangement, the selected passport offices will work in two shifts. The offices will remain open from 8:00 am until 12:00 am, giving citizens access to services for an extended period each day.
The longer schedule could be particularly useful for people who have work, education, or other responsibilities during normal office hours. Citizens will have more flexibility to visit the offices at a time that suits them.
Government aims to reduce waiting times
Officials said the extended timings are also intended to reduce waiting times at passport offices. Long queues and heavy crowds can make it difficult for citizens to complete passport-related procedures quickly.
Also Read: Bangladesh signals interest in Pakistan-Türkiye-Saudi defence pact
The additional working hours could help distribute visitors throughout the day and reduce pressure during peak hours. Authorities expect the new schedule to improve the overall experience for people seeking passport services.
Move aimed at improving public access
The government says the decision is part of broader efforts to improve access to public services. Extending office hours allows citizens to use government facilities beyond conventional working hours.
For people who cannot reach passport offices during the daytime, the late-night shift could provide a more convenient option. The measure also reflects an effort to make essential government services more responsive to public needs.
Extended hours bring more flexibility
Passport applications and related services often require citizens to visit government offices in person. The extended schedule could make the process easier for people who have limited availability during the day.
Citizens in the eight selected cities will now have more time to plan their visits without having to adjust their schedules around conventional office hours. The additional hours may also help offices handle a larger number of visitors each day.
What citizens should know
Citizens planning to visit the affected passport offices can now use the extended operating hours under the new schedule. The offices will operate from 8:00 am to 12:00 am in two shifts.
People are expected to follow the relevant passport application requirements and bring the necessary documents when visiting the offices. The government hopes the extended schedule will make the process more convenient while reducing pressure on passport facilities.
