Pakistan’s passport services at several embassies abroad, including in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi (UAE), have been temporarily stopped. The suspension started due to technical issues at the Passport Headquarters in Islamabad. Services were first halted on April 29-30 and continued into early May without a clear restart date.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh and the mission in Abu Dhabi issued notices to the public. They said passport operations at all foreign missions remain suspended until further notice because of technical and maintenance problems. Updates will be shared on official social media pages and websites.
This sudden halt has affected thousands of Pakistanis living in the Gulf region. Many need passport renewal or new passports for travel, jobs, visas, or family matters. Daily visitors to these missions are now facing delays and uncertainty.
Embassies have advised people to apply online, where possible, through the official passport portal. Those who cannot use online services should wait for further instructions. Officials are working to fix the glitch and hope to restore normal operations soon.
The Pakistan government has not given an exact timeline yet. Pakistani missions in other countries, like Qatar and Oman, have also reported similar suspensions. Expatriates are requested to stay patient and check official channels regularly for the latest information.
