In a crucial decision for national security, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has determined that Pakistani citizens seeking asylum abroad will no longer be issued passports.
Furthermore, the asylum applicants' national identity cards would be blocked as well.
According to an order issued by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, any Pakistani seeking refuge in another country will be denied a passport due to national security concerns.
The order, which was issued under the supervision of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, states that passports should not be issued to those who have requested or been awarded asylum in other countries.
The directive has been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other concerned authorities.
As a result of the decision, these persons' national identity cards will be expelled. It is worth noting that the UK, the US, Germany, and Norway are among the most popular destinations for Pakistani asylum applicants.
These nations do not exchange data with Pakistan, making it impossible for the government to check the visa status of its people who live overseas.
As a result, in the interest of national security, the government has decided not to grant passports to these people.