The Public Accounts Committee expressed deep concern upon learning that thousands of passports had been stolen from passport offices nationwide over the years.
During a meeting chaired by convener Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, the committee examined audit records from 2000 to 2010. Director General of Passports Mustafa Qazi disclosed that nearly 32,674 passports were stolen from 25 passport offices, including Abbottabad, between 1994 and 2000. He assured that all stolen passports had been blocked and could no longer be renewed or used.
Qazi further revealed that some foreign nationals attempting to travel with these stolen documents had been arrested in Saudi Arabia, while Afghan nationals caught using them had been deported.
Describing the situation as “deeply alarming,” Tariq Fazal Chaudhry warned that the stolen documents could have been misused under past circumstances. The DG added that the passport system has since been fully digitized in coordination with NADRA, making fraudulent activity extremely difficult.
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When questioned about the prevalence of suspicious identity cards and passports, Qazi confirmed that the new system effectively prevents fake passports from going undetected. The committee directed him to submit a detailed inquiry report on the matter.
