In a stern response to delays in passport processing, the Federal Ombudsman demanded the return of fees for delayed service.
Responding to mounting frustration and long queues at Passport Offices in cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad, the Federal Ombudsman has dispatched a senior officer-led inspection team to assess the situation on the ground.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the prolonged processing times, the Federal Ombudsman has declared the delay in passport issuance as unacceptable, especially for those who opted to pay urgent fees for expedited services.
In a bid to address the backlog in passport issuance, the Federal Ombudsman has also urged immediate arrangements to expedite the release of pending passports.
Root cause
Officials from passport offices acknowledge the strain on the system, attributing the root cause of the delay to a recent shortage of lamination paper.
The delayed procurement of essential materials has added to the challenges faced by applicants seeking timely issuance of passports.
As citizens grapple with prolonged wait times and administrative challenges, the Federal Ombudsman's demand for the return of urgent passport delay fees takes center stage.
