Pakistani missions in the UAE and other Gulf countries will start issuing machine-readable passports next year incorporating special security features.
"Although authorities in Pakistan started issuing the new machine-readable passports [MRPs] in November, we will start issuing them next year," said Imran Mirza, head of chancery at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai.
Special machines will be installed at the missions to process the new passports, he said.
"I can't give an exact date as to when the facility will start, but it should be during the first half of next year," Mirza said, adding the old passports would be replaced gradually.
So far, no deadline has been set to replace the old passports. "Eventually, every Pakistani will have to get an MRP," Mirza said.
The new passport created some confusion at Dubai International Airport last week as immigration staff did not recognise it.
Following complaints that some visitors from Pakistan faced problems at the airport, Mirza said the UAE authorities were told about the new passports and the matter has been resolved.
According to an official at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in Pakistan, the new passport, which is also called an e-passport, contains special security features designed to combat human trafficking and document forgery.
It has been introduced as per the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Authority. An automated fingerprint identification feature, a facial recognition feature, a personalised data page and a bar code will all be contained in the new passport.
The current passports contain information in three languages - English, Urdu and Arabic. The new passport eliminates Arabic.
"It will be impossible to tamper with the passport or change the photograph," the official said.
Safety step
- The new machine-readable passport system is interactive with online data availability and minimises human intervention.
- Applicants must have new computerised national identity cards to apply for the MRP.
- There are two machine-readable pages containing all basic personal information. There is also a special bar code to biometrically identify the MRP holder to ensure safety.
- The introduction of MRPs would lend greater authenticity to travel documents as it would eliminate potential human error at passport issuing offices.
Gulf News
