LAHORE, Pakistan: During his visit to the Passport Office in Garden Town in Lahore on Monday, the Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi observed the issues faced by citizens in obtaining passports.
The office was plagued by corruption, with a thriving market for bribes and a dominant agent mafia.
The token machine was also found to be malfunctioning, causing frustration for citizens trying to get passports.
The interior minister met with citizens who were there to get passports and inquired about their problems.
The citizens presented evidence of having to pay the agent mafia to get passports.
Additionally, they highlighted the necessity of paying a “tax” to cross the gate of the Passport Office.
The Director and Assistant Director were unable to provide satisfactory answers to any questions.
Mohsin Naqvi expressed concern after observing the conditions at the passport office, stating that demanding money without providing services is unacceptable.
The interior minister immediately replaced the Director and Assistant Director, and ordered disciplinary action against the Assistant Director. Citizens and elderly individuals present at the passport office in front of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lodged numerous complaints.
They reported that even the walls of the passport office were asking for money, and if they paid, their passports were processed faster.
Citizens conversing with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi mentioned that everyone, from agents to officials, was demanding money. Mohsin Naqvi inquired about the situation from the citizens, assuring them that he was there to address their complaints and would investigate the matter personally.
The minister emphasized that it is our responsibility to provide convenience to the citizens.
The citizens praised the minister for his exemplary work in the past and expressed confidence that he would also improve the functioning of this office.
