LONDON/ISLAMABAD—The federal government has decided not to issue passports to overseas Pakistanis living in foreign countries on asylum support.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a notification in this regard, directing the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport not to issue travel documents to Pakistan nationals who sought asylum on political or other grounds in foreign countries.
The ministry further said that the directorate will also cancel the passports of these overseas Pakistanis who have already obtained them.
The decision aims at ensuring the security of the country.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports is the competent authority to issue passports to its bona fide citizens to facilitate their journey and protect them while travelling in foreign countries.
Accordingly, the holder of a valid Pakistan passport is entitled to the protection of Pakistan’s diplomatic and consular representatives when in a foreign country.
A passport is the only document that confirms the identity of a citizen abroad of the Republic of Pakistan and realizes his/her right to exit from and enter the country.
