Accra:The government has announced plans to discontinue the issuance of Machine Readable Passports, transitioning entirely to electronic passports (e-passports). Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, informed the National Assembly that this change will occur within a month, after which only e-passports will be issued by Passport Offices and Pakistan Missions abroad.

According to Radio Pakistan, Tariq Fazal Chaudhary assured that Machine Readable Passports already issued will remain valid until their respective expiry dates. He highlighted that e-passports include advanced security features such as an embedded electronic chip containing biometric and personal data of the passport holder, which enhances identity verification and helps prevent forgery and fraudulent use.

Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis, Mohammad Awn Saqlain, mentioned efforts to curb illegal immigration, including signing Memorandums of Understanding with countries like Italy to promote legal workforce pathways. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Kiran Imran Dar, reported an increase in international tourism, with 4.473 million tourists visiting Pakistan over the past two years. Steps are being taken to promote tourism, improve infrastructure, and enhance visitor experiences in collaboration with provincial governments.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Danyal Chaudhary, expressed confidence that the PTV's business plan would soon be approved by its board. He emphasized the role of state media in promoting the state narrative. Additionally, two bills, the National Book Foundation Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Pakistan Climate Change Amendment Bill, 2026, were presented before the House, which will reconvene on Monday at 5 pm.