Audit Finds Thousands of Passports Missing in Pakistan
A parliamentary committee has been told that thousands of passports have been stolen from passport offices across Pakistan, sparking fears of misuse.
The revelation came during a session of the Public Accounts Sub-Committee, chaired by Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. Director General of Passports, Mustafa Qazi, confirmed that 25 passport offices reported thefts of thousands of passports over the years.
Audit officials informed the committee that at least 32,674 passports had been stolen, including from Abbottabad and other major centres. Qazi assured the committee that all stolen passports had been blocked and would never be renewed.
Read More: Sugar Price Fixed in Islamabad to Shield Buyers
The convener described the situation as “deeply concerning,” warning that the documents could be misused in the current security climate.
The DG said that some foreign nationals had tried to travel to Saudi Arabia using the stolen passports. They were arrested, and Afghan citizens were later deported by Saudi authorities.
Qazi added that, in response, both NADRA and the passport system have been fully digitised, making fraudulent activity far more difficult. The committee has directed the DG to submit a full inquiry report on the thefts.