Saturday 20 / June / 2026
Muscat/Islamabad: Pakistani expatriates in Oman will soon be able to have their e-passports delivered to their homes as Islamabad moves towards a fully electronic passport system under a broad package of reforms aimed at modernizing passport services, enhancing security and improving public convenience.
The decision was taken during a special meeting chaired by Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters in Islamabad.
Officials said the complete transition to e-passports would significantly reduce fraud and forgery associated with travel documents while bringing Pakistan's passport system in line with international standards.
Naqvi said the reforms would strengthen the integrity of the country's passport system and improve services for citizens at home and abroad.
As part of the overhaul, authorities have completed preparations for a home delivery service for passports, both within Pakistan and overseas. Once launched, applicants will be able to receive their passports at their doorstep without having to visit passport offices for collection.
The meeting also approved a revised fee structure under which applicants opting for premium passport services will pay charges that reflect the actual cost of providing those services.
In another major reform, passport offices across Pakistan will adopt a cashless payment system from July 1, a move aimed at improving transparency and accelerating the digitization of public services.
Online passport applications will also be migrated to the Pak ID platform, creating a more integrated and efficient digital application process.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, said the embassy in Muscat processes more than 100 passport applications daily on average.
According to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), there were 290,816 Pakistani expatriates living in Oman as of the end of March 2026. They are employed across a range of sectors, including construction, oil and gas, healthcare, education and hospitality.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the proposed Business Passport policy. Naqvi directed officials to finalize the policy at the earliest in consultation with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), saying it would facilitate legitimate business travel while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Director General of Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the meeting on ongoing reforms, operational improvements and future plans for the passport and immigration system.
The latest initiatives form part of Pakistan's broader drive to digitize government services, improve efficiency and provide citizens with faster, more secure and more accessible passport facilities.
