These 8 cities’ passport offices get new timings and double shifts
The offices included in the new arrangement are Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad and Quetta.
New timings announced
Under the new schedule, passport offices will remain open from 8am to midnight, Monday to Friday.
The first shift will run from 8am to 4pm, while the second shift will continue from 4pm to midnight. The move is aimed at giving citizens more time to complete passport-related work.
FIA arrests four people
Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency arrested four people during a raid at the Harbanspura Passport Office in Lahore. Those arrested include Passport Office Superintendent Abdul Ghaffar, former contract employee Ansar, security guard Zubair Ashfaq and agent Mubashir Mahmood.
According to the FIA, the suspects allegedly took money from citizens by promising to arrange passports through illegal methods. A case has been registered, while further investigation is underway.
The FIA said action would also be taken against other people found involved in passport-related fraud. The agency said those involved in illegal activities inside or outside passport offices would face legal action.
Cashless fee system reviewed
The latest developments came after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made a surprise visit to the Garden Town Passport Office in Lahore. He ordered the removal and suspension of officials over alleged links with an agent network, including a deputy director.
Director General of Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa also reviewed the passport fee payment process at Passport Headquarters. He directed officials to make the cashless passport fee system simpler, easier and more transparent for citizens.
The longer working hours could make passport services easier to access, especially for people who cannot visit offices during normal working hours.
At the same time, the FIA action shows that authorities are also focusing on alleged corruption and illegal passport services. The success of the changes will depend on better monitoring and smooth implementation.
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