The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly expressed deep concern after learning that “thousands of passports” had been stolen from passport offices across Pakistan over the years, with nearly 32,674 passports taken from 25 offices between 1994 and 2000, The News reported.
The shocking revelation came during a PAC meeting, chaired by convener Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, as members reviewed audit paras from 2000 to 2010.
Mustafa Qazi, Director General of Passports, confirmed that the stolen passports had been blocked and were no longer valid for use or renewal. Some of the stolen documents were reportedly used by foreign nationals attempting to travel, with Saudi authorities arresting individuals using stolen passports, and Afghan nationals being deported for attempting to travel with them.
Chaudhry expressed grave concerns over the misuse of these passports, urging immediate action. The Director General reassured the committee that the entire system had been digitized in collaboration with NADRA to prevent future fraud. He stated that the new system has made it virtually impossible to issue fake passports undetected.
The committee requested a detailed inquiry report into the matter.
In a separate discussion, the committee examined an audit para related to the Ministry of Interior, which revealed that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had purchased machine-readable passport (MRP) equipment worth $54,000 nearly 18 years ago. However, the system was never operational due to the withdrawal of permissions by Indian authorities and poor internet connectivity at the mission.
Interior Secretary Khurram Agha explained that the Pakistani staff had been unable to operate the online system, as India had revoked permission for such activities. He also cited concerns over the risk of data leaks if external systems were installed. Despite brief operations issuing 71 electronic passports, the project was ultimately halted, and the equipment remained unused.
Dissatisfied with this explanation, the PAC directed officials to repatriate the unused passport machinery from New Delhi and implement the auditors’ recommendation to resolve the issue.
The committee emphasized the importance of conducting proper feasibility studies before such expenditures to avoid wasteful spending.
