Update on the Pakistan ePassport Project

On 30 March 2022, the then Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the Pakistan ePassport facility at an inauguration ceremony in Islamabad. Speaking at the occasion, Interior Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said that the new passport includes 29 new and modern security features. Here, we open the passport and take a look at some of them.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan (© Ministry of Interior).

The issuance of the Pakistan ePassport is under the stewardship of the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports (DGI&P) within the Ministry of Interior. After going live in October 2022 for government dignitaries, diplomats and officers, the DGI&Phas been issuing other ePassport categories from its headquarters in Islamabad. The issuance of Ordinary ePassports to citizens of Pakistan and Overseas Pakistanis, from all field offices, is expected to commence soon, according to the Ministry.

Datapage security

The datapage is protected by a range of security features including:

• Multicoloured images, not visible to the human eye under normal light but visible when illuminated with UV light centered on a wavelength of 365 nm.

• Repetitive continuous micro-text of ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’, typically 200-300 micrometers in height.

• Islamic geometric patterns along with fine intricate line pattern of ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’.

• MLI (Multiple laser Image), containing photo and other variable data printed at the personalisation stage.

• OVI (Optically Variable Ink), the printed image changes its color depending on the viewing angle to protect against copying and scanning.

• Infrared absorbent / transparent inks that are used to print images that look the same under normal light but when illuminated with a specific IR light source, only the IR absorbent inks are visible.

Essentially, the ePassport project is in its 1st phase for Official and Diplomatic Categories issuance. The plan of work to completely shift from machine readable to ePassports will require additional new personalisation machines, along with the supporting infrastructure.

A further stage is envisioned for integration with Border Control to support eGate facilities.