Pakistan’s Interior Minister orders the removal of entire passport office staff

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the removal of the entire staff of a regional passport office in Gujranwala after discovering that the facility had been closed before the end of its official working hours during a surprise inspection.

Naqvi visited the office unexpectedly and found its doors locked, while citizens seeking passport services were reportedly being turned away. Cleaning activities were also taking place at around 4pm, suggesting that the office had already shut for the day.

The passport office is officially scheduled to remain open until 4:30pm. Expressing his displeasure, Naqvi questioned why the facility had been locked an hour before the official closing time.

He also raised concerns over the absence of staff and the way members of the public were being treated. The interior minister questioned whether government offices responsible for public services should operate in such a manner.

According to the Interior Ministry, only one employee was present at the office when Naqvi arrived, and the official failed to provide satisfactory answers to the minister’s questions.

Naqvi subsequently ordered the removal of the entire staff from their existing positions and instructed the relevant authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings over negligence and failure to perform their duties properly.

The interior minister further warned that negligence in delivering services to citizens would not be tolerated and stressed that public offices must ensure timely and efficient service.