ISLAMABAD:  Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed announced an extension in the passport validity from five years to ten years without any extra charges to facilitate Pakistan’s labour community working abroad.

According to details, Interior Minister stated that the decision has been taken to facilitate Pakistani diaspora and is only meant for the labour class.

He clarified that the decision would not be applicable on official and red passports.

“The new passport will be issued at the previous fee of Rs3, 000 and this decision will be implemented from January 1. It is a gift from Prime Minister Imran Khan to all the Pakistani labour community, especially in the Middle East,” he said.

The minister added that a new e-passport would be launched from April 28 next year which would help maintain data on modern lines and improve the country’s image abroad.

“E-passport facility has been activated in Islamabad and will soon be available in Rawalpindi,” he further said adding, “An SMS service has also been started with the basic aim of informing the passport holders six months before expiry of their passports”.

Sheikh Rasheed added that, for home delivery of passports an express service has also been introduced across the country.