The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) opened a passport cell which will undertake the delivery of passports to the citizens of Afghanistan in Iran and Pakistan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani said the center, which was established at a cost of $1.5 million, will find permanent solution to the problems facing Afghan nationals in Iran and Pakistan. He said that within two years, all Afghans overseas will have access to digital passports.
The Afghan government has purchased four passport printing machines for this purpose. Two more machines will be purchased soon. According to the MoFA, each machine has the capacity to print 120 passports an hour. Data of the holder of passport could be entered into the system.
“We have a commitment to the international community and international aviation organizations to digitalize Afghani passports within the next two years, with the cooperation of all our friends. With the cooperation of the deputy minister of foreign affairs the project will be implemented,” an Afghan news agency quoted Rabbani as saying.
“The project was officially inaugurated today. Afghan citizens in Iran and Pakistan who are willing to take digital passports, will have their data will entered abroad. Passports will then be printed in Afghanistan and be sent to them,” said Nasir Ahmad Andisha, deputy minister of foreign affairs for finance and administrative affairs.
Meanwhile, officials of population registration directorate have said that in the future Afghan citizens do not need to come to Afghanistan for the certification of their identities. The system will help certify their identities in the host country.
“The process of certification of identities our Afghan citizens will be completed in Iran. In some exceptional cases, which need more authentication, data will be processed here in Afghanistan. Then their passports will be delivered to them in Iran.” said Humayoun Muhtat, head of population registration directorate. “The process of certification of identify of Afghans will be launched on 16 August. They will be provided Afghan Citizen Cards,” Dr Alima, deputy minister of refugees and repatriation, said.
