Interior Ministry Confirms No Plans to Cut Passport Fees
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has informed the Senate that there are currently no intentions to reduce passport fees in Pakistan.
Passport Fee Collections From 2021 to 2026
In a written reply to Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, the ministry disclosed that the government collected a total of Rs219.931 billion in passport fees over the last five years. The breakdown of collections includes Rs21.618 billion in fiscal year 2021-22, Rs34.495 billion in 2022-23, Rs50.906 billion in 2023-24, Rs64.392 billion in 2024-25, and Rs48.52 billion during 2025-26.
Transition to E-Passports and Payment Procedures
The ministry also highlighted that the cost of producing and procuring e-passports exceeds that of traditional passports. Pakistan is steadily moving from machine-readable passports toward e-passports, which conform to standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Furthermore, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) has mandated that passport fee payments be made exclusively through scanning the designated Raast QR code. Payments via Interbank Fund Transfer (IBFT), International Bank Account Number (IBAN), or Payment Slip Identification (PSID) will no longer be accepted.
Why This Matters for Pakistanis
For Pakistani citizens, passports are essential for travel, emigration, and international business. Understanding that passport fees will remain unchanged, despite rising costs associated with modern e-passports, helps set public expectations while also pointing to the government’s efforts to improve security and international compliance standards. The shift to digital payment methods aims to streamline fee collection, reduce fraud risks, and enhance convenience for applicants across the country.
As travel demand continues to grow, awareness of these fee structures and payment protocols ensures transparency and preparedness among the Pakistani public.
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