LAHORE: The regional passport office which was situated at the Abbott Road, Lahore behind Police Station Qila Gujar Singh has been shifted to Shadman Chowk near WAPDA rest houses whereas nine new counters and one window operation system have also been established in the new office, Pakistan Today learnt on Tuesday.
Pakistan Today further learnt that the old office was situated inside the NADRA office at the Abbott Road where only two counters were working for those who wanted to have passport made while because of limited counters people had to wait for long hours in queues for their turn which was at times disturbing for the people especially the elderly persons.
Moreover, the agent mafia was also working strongly because of the limited counters and by taking more money from the people and having token numbers in advance with them disturb the system.
Shahnaam Baig who was present at the passport office for the renewal of passport said, “This is a good initiative by the passport office and one windows operation has made a good difference in the system. This will reduce corruption by the agent mafia as well and make the procedure transparent”.
Shumaila Riaz another visitor at the passport office appreciated the new system and said that it will save the time of people coming to the passport office for their new passport or renewal.
While talking to Pakistan Today, the director passport Punjab Muhammad Fayyaz said, “Previously there were only two counter at the passport office and we have increased them to nine along with one window operation for all the people who come to the passport office. This will ease the people in getting the passport made and would save time. We have taken strict measures to eliminate the agent mafia from this office so that everyone gets equal opportunity to get their passports without any discrimination”.