Kabulis want passport distribution  process to resume

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some people, complaining of inordinate delays, have called for the early resumption of the passport distribution procession.

On the other hand, the General Directorate of Passport in Kabul says the exact date for the resumption of passport distribution is not yet known.

A number of applicants previously told Pajhwok Afghan News getting a passport took months. The department concerned, however, argued hundreds of thousands of people had applied for passports.

Earlier, the General Directorate had announced the suspension of the distribution of passports, saying it was considering bringing positive changes to its technical and equipment sections in a bid to provide better services to clients.

Because of four to five thousand passports distributed at the centre, machines have lost their original quality over time and needed to be repaired or replaced, the department tweeted.

Latf-ur-Rahman, a resident of the Kart-i-Naw area of Kabul’s 8^th police district, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had applied for a passport about five months ago, but had not receive it yet.

He was uncertain when he would get the document, Rahman said, adding he was counting minutes. He wants to take his ailing spouse to Pakistan for medical treatment.

He urged the government to resolve the problem as soon as possible or find another way of issuing passports to those in urgent need.

Ahmad Shah Salim, hailing from the Pul-i-Charkhi area of Kabul, said he planned to go to Iran for business. He registered for a passport about three months ago but has not yet received it.

Noorullah Patman, spokesman for the department, said: “Work is still underway and the distribution of passports will remain suspended until technical measures are completed.”

In response to a question, he said: “It is not known when technical issues will be fixed, but our team is busy trying to resolve them.”

sa/mud

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