Establishing PPCs: Rs35m TSG: ECC Gives Conditional Approval
Subject to clearance from the Austerity Measures Committee (AMC), the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs 35 million to establish 30 Passport Processing Counters (PPCs), mainly in Punjab.
Ministry of Interior informed the ECC, led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, on April 28, 2023, that the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports oversees and coordinates the operations of 182 Regional Passport Offices throughout Pakistan and abroad. DG provided continuous services to individuals in need of passport and immigration assistance.
On March 1, 2023, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting where he formed a Committee, led by the Minister for Finance and Revenue, to discuss the collaboration between NADRA and Directorate General of Immigration and Passports for the establishment of new passport offices in remote areas.
The Committee recommended to the Prime Minister the following: (i) amending Passport Rules, 2021 to include smart solutions such as Passport Processing Counters, passport processing through MRVs, and online passport processing; and (ii) approving addendums No. To start smart solutions, V, VI, and VII were approved, along with the establishment of Passport Processing Counters in 30 administrative units and the provision of Rs. 35 million in funds through a supplementary grant in the current financial year 2022-23.
The Ministry of Interior has announced that a total of Rs35 million will be distributed through the Technical Supplementary Grant during the CFY 2022-23 for the establishment of Passport Processing Counters in 30 administrative units across the country. These units include Malir and Sambrial. Shringal, Depalpur. The following cities are Kamoke, Umar Kot, Daska, Tandlianwala, Jampur, Pasrur, Samundri, Lower Kohistan (at Pattan), Burewala, Safdarabad, Pattoki, Chunian, Khanpur, Kabirwala, Sangla Hill, Muzaffarabad (at Khangarh), Mailsi, Sharaqpur, Khawazakhela, Nowshera Virkan, Faisalabad, Sher Garh, Malikwal, Pindigheb, Chak Dare, and Ferozewal (at Faizpur Khurd).
The Ministry of Interior has asked for ECC approval to establish 30 positions for Machine Readable Passport (MRP) Operational Officers at the DG IMPASS office, along with an extra budget of Rs. 35 million for the fiscal year 2022-23.
The proposal of the Ministry of Interior for the Current Financial Year 2022-23 was approved by the ECC, subject to clearance by the Austerity Measures Committee, after deliberations.
