Biometric Passports

In 2022, Pakistan introduced state-of-the-art biometric passports, often referred to as "e-passports." These advanced travel documents include an embedded electronic chip on the data page, which is the first page of the passport and crafted from polycarbonate. This chip is specifically engineered to protect biometric data, ensuring the reliable verification of the passport holder's identity. Inside the chip, you can find the passport holder's image, biometric information, personal details from the data page, a distinct identification number, and a digital signature.

These e-passports also incorporate a contactless (NFC) chip, allowing for electronic readability. Pakistani citizens can conveniently use e-gates located at various international airports for streamlined travel. Notably, these recently introduced Pakistani e-passports are fully compliant with the United Nations' ICAO standards.

Machine-Readable Passports

Pakistan started issuing machine-readable passports (MRPs) in 2004. These MRPs were introduced to enhance security features and comply with international standards for travel documents. Machine-readable passports contain a machine-readable zone, biographic information and a digitized photograph of the passport holder, which can be scanned and read electronically at border control and immigration checkpoints.

Discontinued Passports

• Before the introduction of machine-readable passports (MRPs) in Pakistan, Pakistan issued manual or traditional passports. These passports were hand-written and were not equipped with the electronic features and biometric data. Manual passports typically contained the passport holder's personal information, a glued photograph, and various stamps.
• In the past, Pakistan used to provide a distinct Hajj passport exclusively for Pakistani nationals embarking on Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. However, these specialized Hajj passports are no longer in circulation, and regular Pakistani passports are now acceptable for this purpose.
• Prior to achieving independence, individuals from the region utilized British Indian Passports for their travel documentation.

Physical appearance of a Pakistani e-passport

• The opening cover end is titled "INSTRUCTIONS". This page contains signature/thumb impression of the holder, and a note that reads:

This Passport contains a chip and antenna embedded in Data Page. For best performance please do not bend, perforate or expose to excessive temperature and mositure

The passport cover page contains the following instructions above the note:

• 1. The Passport is the property of the Government of Pakistan and may be withdrawn at any time.
  2. The possession of this Passport doesn't exempt passport holder from having to comply with the rules and regulations of any country or from having to obtain a visa when required.
  3. In case of loss of Passport it must be reported to the nearest Passport Office and to the nearest Police Station in Pakistan or to the nearest Pakistan Mission in case of abroad. If the holder recovers the possession of lost Passport after reporting loss it must be reported within 14 days. Travel on reported lost Passport is prohibited.
  4. Any person involved in alteration / tampering in the Passport would be liable to punishment under the law. Moreover, the person carrying a Passport unauthorizedly which belongs to some other person falls in same violation.
  5. Dispatch of Passport abroad or recall to Pakistan from abroad through courier without permission from Directorate General Immigration & Passports, is prohibited.
  6. Pakistani citizens living abroad more than three months, as per Pakistani Citizenship Rules 1952, must register their names annually in the nearest Pakistan Mission for contact in case of emergency. Change of address or leaving the country may also be reported to Pakistan Mission or Consulate. Birth of child must also be reported to the nearest Pakistan Mission to get support / guidance.

• The initial page of the Pakistani e-passport is composed of polycarbonate, housing the embedded contactless chip along with its antenna(s). On one side of this polycarbonate leaf, one will find The words "Government of Pakistan" (written in both: Urdu and English), the State Emblem of Pakistan and the passport note from the President of Pakistan (mentioned later). The other side of the polycarbonate leaf is the data page, which consists of:
  • The text "Islamic Republic of Pakistan / اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان"
  • The text "Passport / پاسپورٹ" written above the picture of the passport holder
  • Photo of passport holder
  • Type (either 'D', 'P,' or 'S')
  • Country Code (PAK)
  • Passport Number
  • Surname
  • Given Names
  • Nationality (PAKISTANI)
  • Date of Birth
  • Citizenship Number
  • Sex
  • Place of Birth
  • Father / Husband Name
  • Religion
  • Date of Issue
  • Issuing Authority
  • Picture of holder with words "PAK" written below
  • Date of Expiry
  • Booklet Number
  • Tracking Number
  • Previous Passport Number (if any)
  • Machine-readable zone
• The second page (first paper page, numbered as "1") contains the note declaring that the passport is invalid for travel to Israel, right above the words "ANNOTATIONS". This page further contains the booklet number.
• Page number 2 is reserved for observations.
• Pages after the observation are for visa and entry/exit stamps.
• The concluding section of the passport includes details related to regulations and registration.

Physical appearance of a Pakistani machine-readable passport

• The opening cover end contains the following information:
  • The text "ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN" on the top left corner
  • The text "PASSPORT" on top of the passport holder's photo
  • Photo of passport holder
  • Type (either 'D', 'P,' or 'S')
  • Country Code (PAK)
  • Passport Number
  • Surname
  • Given Names
  • Nationality (PAKISTANI)
  • Date of Birth
  • Citizenship Number
  • Sex
  • Place of Birth
  • Father/Husband Name
  • Date of Issue
  • Issuing Authority
  • Date of Expiry
  • Tracking Number
  • Booklet Number
  • Machine-readable zone

• First page of a regular booklet contains:
  • State Emblem of Pakistan
  • Passport Note from the Ministry of Interior of Pakistan, in the name of President of Pakistan (mentioned later)
  • Booklet number

• Second page is titled "ANNOTATIONS" on the top and contains the following information:
  • Religion
  • Previous passport number (if any)
  • Signature of the passport holder
  • A notation in both English and Urdu indicating that the passport remains invalid in the absence of the holder's signature or thumb impression

• Third page declares that the passport is valid to travel to all countries of the world except Israel.
• Fourth and fifth pages are reserved for observations.
• Pages from sixth page and onward are for visa and entry/exit stamps.

• The information on the inside back cover of a Pakistani passport states in Urdu only:
  • ضوابط
    • ۱- یہ پاسپورٹ حکومت پاکستان کی ملکیت ہے - بیرونی ممالک میں رائج امیگریشن ضوابط کی پابندی ہر حامل پاسپورٹ پر لازم ہوگی جن ممالک میں داخلے کے لئے ویزا حاصل کرنا ضروری ہو وہاں جانے سے پہلے ویزا حاصل کرنا چاہیے ۔ ۳- منسوخ شده یا زائدالمیعاد پاسپورٹ دوسال تک لے پاسپورٹ کے ساتھ رکھنا چاہئے کیونکہ زرمبادلہ کے لئے درخواست دیتے وقت شخص متعلقہ کو اس کی ضرورت پڑے گی ۔ گر پاسپورٹ کم یا ضائع ہو جاۓ تو پولیس اور پاکستان کے پاسپورٹ جاری کرنے والے قریب ترین دفترمیں فورا اطلاع کرنی چاہئے ۔ بیرونی ممالک میں ایسی اطلاع قریب ترین پاکستانی سفارت خانہ یا قونصل خانہ کو دی جائے ۔ ۵ - پاسپورٹ میں تبدیلی یا اضافہ وغیرہ صرف مجاز عہد یدار کرسکتا ہے ۔ قانون کی رو سے ایسے اشخاص موجب سزا قرار دیئے جا سکتے ہیں جو پاسپورٹ میں کسی قسم کی تبدیلی یا ردو بدل کر میں نیز ایسے لوگ بھی سزا کے مستحق ہیں جن کے قبضے میں ناجائز طور پر ایسا پاسپورٹ ہو جو انھیں قانونی طورسے نہ دیا گیا ہو ۔ ملک سے بذریعہ ڈاک یا کسی اور طریقے سے پاسپورٹ کسی دوسرے ملک بھیجنا قانونا جرم ہے ۔
  • رجسٹریشن
    • بیرونی ممالک میں تین ماہ سے زیادہ قیام کرنے والے پاکستانی شہریوں پر لازم ہے کہ وہ قواعد شہرت پاکستان ۱۹۵۲ ء کے تحت ہر سال اپنا نام قریب ترین پاکستانی سفارت خانہ یا قونصل خانہ میں رجسٹر کرا لیا کریں پتہ کی تبدیلی اور ملک سے روانگی کی اطلاع سفارت خانہ یا قونصل خانہ کو دینی ضروری ہے ۔ نیز یہ کہ اگر بیرون ملک پاکستانی شہری کے کوئی بچہ پیدا ہو تو اس کا نام بھی قریب ترین پاکستانی سفارت خانہ یا قونصل خانہ میں مندرجہ بالا قواعد کے تحت رجسٹر کرائیں تاکہ بوقت ضرورت انھیں سفارت خانہ کی امداد اور مشورہ حاصل ہوسکے ۔

• English Translation (not present on the actual passport):
  • Regulations:
    • This passport is owned by the Government of Pakistan.
    • Compliance with the existing immigration regulations in foreign countries will be mandatory on every passport holder. One must obtain a visa before entering the countries for which it is necessary to obtain a visa.
    • Revoked or overdue passport should be kept with the passport for up to two years as the person concerned will need it while applying for foreign exchange.
    • If the passport is lost or wasted, the police and the nearest Pakistani passport issuing office should be notified immediately. Such information should be given to the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate in foreign countries.
    • Only authorized officer can change or add to the passport. According to the law, persons can be punished according to the change or alteration of their passport, as well as those who have a passport in their possession which is not given to them legally.
    • It is a criminal offence to send a passport from one country to another by mail or otherwise.
  • Registration:
    • Pakistani citizens residing in foreign countries for more than three months are required to register their name at the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate every year under the Pakistan Rules of Reputation 1952. Change of address and departure from the country information must be given to the embassy or consulate. Also, if any child of a Pakistani citizen is born abroad, his name should be registered in the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate under the above rules so that he can get the help and advice of the embassy in case of need.

Passport note

Within Pakistani passports, there is a formal statement from the President of Pakistan, directing the officials of all nations to recognize the bearer as a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This statement also urges and obliges that the bearer be granted unhindered passage, assistance, and protection in times of need. The internal note found within Pakistani e-passports reads as follows:

The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan requires and requests all those whom it may concern to allow the citizen of Pakistan named in this travel document to pass freely without delay or hindrance and to afford such assistance and protection as may be necessary

While the internal note found within Pakistani machine-readable passports reads as follows:

Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan requires & requests in the name of President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan all those to whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

Director General Immigration & Passports.