Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has approved the issuance of blue passports for 42 of the country’s top taxpayers.
According to reports, DG Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that on the instructions of the Prime Minister, these taxpayers have been granted the status of “Ambassador-at-Large.” Most of them have already received their passports.
Authorities are also considering a proposal under which other businessmen paying taxes above a specified threshold may be issued special-colored passports as well. Consultations in this regard are underway with the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue. The initiative aims to promote tax culture in the country and encourage major investors.
To further facilitate citizens, a home delivery service for passports is being launched nationwide. An agreement with a courier company is expected soon, after which citizens will be able to receive their passports directly at home by paying a small additional fee.
The DG Passports further said that the department is also introducing a chatbot that will provide applicants with information regarding documents and passport processing status. In addition, work is underway on a mobile app and online system similar to that of NADRA, enabling citizens to apply for passports from home at any time.
He added that the old method of depositing fees through National Bank of Pakistan will be discontinued after June 30. A fully digital and cashless system is being introduced instead, allowing citizens to pay fees through banking apps by scanning QR codes, which is also expected to help eliminate the agent mafia.
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