Good news for Pakistanis seeking asylum abroad

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday reversed its earlier decision to deny passports to Pakistanis who were living abroad on asylum.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss important issues related to overseas Pakistanis.

The meeting was attended by the foreign secretary, the secretary of interior and senior officials of the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.

“The meeting discussed in detail the recent policy decision that was taken vide circular dated 5 June 2024 for not issuing passport to any individual who had sought asylum or already living on asylum abroad,” a press release by the government said. “It was decided to reverse the policy decision with immediate effect and to withdraw the circular of 5 June 2024.”

Participants of the meeting also discussed issues relating to delays in the issuance of passports to Pakistanis living abroad, the press release said. The officials briefed Dar about the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline the process of issuing passports.

“It was decided that the Ministry of Interior and IMPASS will take immediate necessary steps to upgrade the infrastructure/equipment within the next 45 days and to fast-track the clearance of the entire backlog relating to the issuance of passports to overseas Pakistanis,” it added.

Last month, Pakistan’s Directorate General of Immigration and Passports announced the government would no longer issue passports to Pakistanis who were seeking asylum abroad.