In a significant policy shift, the government has removed the requirement for police verification when applying for a passport. This decision means that from now on, citizens will no longer need to obtain police clearance to receive a passport.
The announcement was made by the Chief Advisor on Sunday, during the inauguration of the DC conference. The news was confirmed by the Senior Assistant Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Faiz Ahmed.
Previously, the Public Administration Reform Commission had recommended the removal of the police verification requirement for passport issuance. The Chief Advisor reiterated that the provision for police verification had been canceled, emphasizing that obtaining a passport is a citizen’s right.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was also present at the event, stated that citizens would no longer need police verification to obtain a passport. He urged the district administrators to ensure that this decision is communicated clearly to the public.
The Chief Advisor further emphasized, “A passport is a right of a citizen. Whether or not I am a criminal is a matter for the police to decide separately. The birth certificate issued to me was not done after a police verification. Similarly, my National ID card was issued without police verification; these are rights I have as a citizen.”
This move marks a major change in the country’s approach to passport issuance and reflects the government’s commitment to simplifying the process for citizens.
