Machine Readable Passports (MRP) in Pakistan have a technical fault and this is causing a backlog in the UAE and causing many to cancel or postpone their holiday plans. The passport booklets are laminated in Islamabad then delivered worldwide. The Pakistani community says their delay is hampering their holiday plans.
Currently delivery of the passport takes about a month but the normal delivery time is about ten days, while an urgent MRP can be delivered in 5 days. Mohammed Yaqcoub is planning a trip with his family and said “These issues need to be looked into urgently since it is the travel season.” Minister of State for Interior said they have taken necessary steps to provided facilities to the community. The Dubai office processes up to 300 applications for MRP’s every day. About 800,000 Pakistani’s live in the UAE.
