Two Officials Removed After Naqvi Finds Passport Office Chaos

News Desk 

Lahore: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the removal of two senior officials following a surprise inspection of the Passport Office in Garden Town, where citizens complained of long delays, understaffing and an alleged agent mafia.

During his visit, Naqvi found lengthy queues of passport applicants, several counters operating without staff and citizens waiting for hours to have their applications processed.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, some applicants told the minister they had arrived in the morning but were still waiting for their turn after several hours.

Citizens also alleged that agents operating outside the office were demanding additional payments to speed up passport-related work. One applicant claimed he had paid Rs5,500 to an agent for expedited processing.

The minister expressed anger over the conditions and ordered the removal of Passport Office Garden Town in-charge Deputy Director Shahzad Aslam, holding him responsible for mismanagement and negligence.

Naqvi also ordered the removal of the Deputy Director Anti-Corruption FIA Lahore, citing the continued presence of agents outside the passport office.

The minister directed officials to resolve citizens’ complaints immediately and stressed that passport services must be delivered without unnecessary delays.

“I personally apologize to you. This situation is very sad,” Naqvi told applicants during the visit, according to the ministry.

He said citizens could not be subjected to such treatment and warned that disciplinary action would be taken against officials found negligent in their duties.

The surprise inspection comes as the government faces continuing complaints over delays and alleged middlemen involvement in public service offices. Naqvi reiterated that providing timely and efficient services to citizens was both a responsibility and a duty of the relevant departments.