New Machine Readable Passports in Pakistan: Fees and Details Released

The Pakistani government has recently announced the cost schedule for obtaining the new Machine Readable Passports (MRPs). The pricing plan for diplomatic, official, and regular citizens has been released. Regular citizens will be able to obtain MRPs when their current passport expires. Initially, MRPs will only be issued in Islamabad, with the schedule for the service’s introduction in other cities to be announced later.

Individuals can pay the fees through the Pakistan Passport e-Payment Service portal, utilizing the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), a mobile app, MobiCash, or EasyPaisa. The cost for regular registration is broken down by passport validity and number of pages. For a 36-page passport valid for 5 years, the fee is Rs. 3,000. The fee increases to Rs. 5,500 for a 72-page passport and Rs. 6,000 for a 100-page passport. For a 10-year validity, the fees are Rs. 4,500 for 36 pages, Rs. 8,250 for 72 pages, and Rs. 9,000 for 100 pages.

For expedited registration, the fees are higher. A 36-page passport valid for 5 years has a fee of Rs. 5,000, while a 72-page passport has a fee of Rs. 9,000 and a 100-page passport has a fee of Rs. 12,000. For a 10-year validity, the fees are Rs. 7,500 for 36 pages, Rs. 13,500 for 72 pages, and Rs. 18,000 for 100 pages.

The highest fee category is for fast-track registration. For a 36-page passport valid for 5 years, the fee is Rs. 10,000, while a 72-page passport has a fee of Rs. 14,000 and a 100-page passport has a fee of Rs. 17,000. For a 10-year validity, the fees are Rs. 12,500 for 36 pages, Rs. 18,500 for 72 pages, and Rs. 23,000 for 100 pages.

It’s important to keep in mind that these fees are subject to change and citizens should always check the official government website for updates before submitting payment. Additionally, there may be additional charges or fees that apply to specific situations.

The introduction of MRPs is a significant step in modernizing the passport system in Pakistan and ensuring the security and authenticity of passport holders. While the costs for obtaining an MRP may be higher than traditional passports, the added security and convenience of the new system may ultimately be worth the extra expense for many citizens. Overall, it’s a positive move towards digitization and making the process of obtaining a passport more efficient.