ISLAMABAD — The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports is actively collaborating with a private banking institution to introduce a state-of-the-art digital system for passport fee payments, aiming to streamline the application process for citizens nationwide.
The initiative took a major step forward on Monday when a banking delegation met with the Director General of Immigration and Passports, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The high-level talks centered on deploying a seamless, cashless payment model that will enable citizens to settle their passport and immigration fees directly through a dedicated mobile application. The partnering private bank has already initiated the technical development of the digital infrastructure required to support the platform.
DG Muhammad Ali Randhawa emphasized that transitioning away from traditional cash systems and prioritizing digital payments will significantly accelerate service delivery while fostering greater transparency across departmental operations. Both immigration authorities and financial sector representatives finalized the rollout mechanism during the session, marking a significant milestone in the broader national push toward a cashless economic framework.
Separately, federal authorities issued an urgent public advisory warning citizens against a sophisticated digital scam targeting passport applicants. A fraudulent individual has compromised the Google Maps listing for the Regional Passport Office in the G-10 sector of Islamabad, embedding a personal phone number and email address into the official location page. The scammer has been using these unauthorized contact details to intercept applicants, demanding illicit fee payments via JazzCash and various private bank accounts.
Officials have strongly cautioned the public against sharing sensitive personal details or making any financial transfers to independent accounts. The directorate reiterated that all official guidance, passport processing information, and legitimate fee schedules must be obtained strictly through recognized government channels.
