Pakistan to Fast-Track Passports for Migrants Ahead of Spain’s Residency Scheme
By Zeeshan Khan
Pakistan will accelerate the issuance of passports and other documents for its citizens seeking residency in Spain, following a high-level government meeting reviewing support measures for Pakistani migrants.
The meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Saalik Hussain, assessed progress on facilitating Pakistanis applying for Spain’s Resident Card under an upcoming regularisation programme for undocumented migrants.
Senior officials from multiple departments attended the session, including Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the federal interior secretary, secretary for overseas Pakistanis, the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and representatives from NADRA and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain Dr Zahoor Ahmed, Consul General in Barcelona Muhammad Ali Wazir and the community welfare attaché joined the meeting virtually.
One-Week Timeline for Documents
Participants decided that passports and other required documents for Pakistani applicants would be issued within one week once Spain launches its regularisation scheme.
Mr Hussain said the initiative could benefit around 15,000 Pakistani nationals living in Spain.
He thanked the Ministry of Interior for supporting efforts to assist the Pakistani community seeking legal status in the European country.
Safeguards in Passport Issuance
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the rapid issuance of passports to overseas Pakistanis was a top priority, but stressed that strict checks would remain in place.
“No passport should be issued to any criminal or wanted individual,” he said, directing authorities to ensure proper verification.
Mr Naqvi also ordered the immediate deployment of additional staff to the passport section at Pakistan’s embassy in Spain to speed up processing.
Faster Verification Process
Officials said the National Police Bureau has improved the system for verifying police character certificates, which are now being issued on a priority basis.
During the meeting, Ambassador Zahoor Ahmed and Consul General Muhammad Ali Wazir briefed participants on the ongoing facilitation process.
They said Pakistani missions in Spain were coordinating with relevant institutions to ensure applicants receive essential documents quickly.
According to the briefing, the embassy and consulate have already issued about 10,000 authority letters to applicants as part of the documentation process.
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