According to official sources, MRP is conceived to absorb the knowledge-based capacity using recently-developed state-of-the-art data warehouse and infrastructure facilities. The project shall operate in tandem with the projects of e-government, installation of data networks and other initiatives for capacity-building in the field of Information Technology. The project has been necessitated to overcome the serious bottlenecks, being faced by the implementing agencies.
The issuance of MRP visas, supported by an integrated Automated Border Control System, will curb malpractices to a great extent, consonant with the standards established by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The system will be supported by a database for an online verification of all the documents. It will consist of a comprehensively secured production, personalisation and issuance process, and the resulting process will also provide an integrated reference mechanism.
The elimination of human intervention through an effective use of sophisticated computer hardware and software will facilitate a high degree of reliability in monitoring and tracking applications as well as providing immigration controls.
Once interfaced with the citizen's database and data warehouse (NDW) being established by National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) and other databases established by various government agencies from time to time, its multidimensional advantages will accrue to departments of immigration and passport and other user agencies.
The new passports would be issued at 27 Local and 10 Passport Issue Offices (PIOs) across the world and the applicants would be required to visit the PIOs for digital photo and thumb impression.
The project is being termed as a key measure towards government's effort to restore the credibility of immigration infrastructure in the country. The process will also ensure success and preserve dignity and authority of documents for travel and identity purposes.
At present, five million passports have been issued by the government of Pakistan while one million passports are issued annually by 27 PIOs in the country and at all missions.
Autor: Haseeb Haider
Quelle: Khaleej Times, 14.08.2004
