One can’t get one passport but some have two passports

To the best of my knowledge and belief ever since Pakistan has issued computerized passport I doubt anyone can get two passports at the same time for the simple reason that as and when someone feeds the name of an applicant the computerized system automatically will tell that the person concerned already holds a passport so the second application is rejected and cannot be processed any further.

However earlier when passports were hand written particulars of the applicant were not fed into centralized computer system so there were always chances howsoever remote they may be that someone can get even more than passports from different passport offices. We know that in the past it was reported in the press that someone had even three passports what to talk of two but it is a dead story now. In the old passport some time some people changed photo to travel on fake passport but now it is not more than past history. One thing which is very commendable that the government has made it obligatory that nobody can get a passport unless and until the person concerned holds a valid NADRA identification card which itself is issued after passing through different computerized steps which means that none can have two NADRA identification cards for the simple reason that at the time of second application the 1^st one will be surfaced. Secondly it is a rule that as and when a new passport is issued the earlier passport is cancelled for the simple reason that none without any exception can keep two passports.

Now it has been made public that Tauqir Sadiq, former Chairman, OGRA who has been declared as a proclaimed offender and is involved in huge corruption running into billions had two valid passports which have been cancelled as per the instructions of NAB which is a commendable action on the part of NAB but nevertheless how he was issued two passports is a big question. Most of the countries including UAE have banned the entry of all those men and women who do not possess computerized passport and the rule applies to Tauqir also which proves that unless and until he had computerized passport he had been denied entry into the country. Let me point out that UAE is one of the most liberal countries on the face of earth which has very much eased its immigration rules whereby the visitor is saved from the botheration of obtaining entry visas prior to travel to UAE and instead the visitor is facilitated to obtain entry visa upon arrival. I can say with full conviction and authority is Tauqir did enter UAE travelling on computerized passport otherwise he had not been there but it gives birth to the question that how could he get two computerized passports.

Time and again we have seen through our media that hundreds of both men and women are queued up daily at passport offices all over the country to obtain passport but very much regretfully greater majority of the applicants run from pillar to post to obtain passport and just few are lucky ones who get passport without any hustle. There are far too many agents roaming around each and every place meeting the applicants and assuring that they will get the passport in the shortest possible time depending upon how much the applicant cay pay the agent and many of them who are in urgent need of passport for many pressing reasons have no alternative but to pay money to the agents to get the job done. However, one can read very clear instructions written at each passport office saying that none should pay any money to agent and instead complain with the officer about the agents.

Isn’t it very strange that whereas on one hand one cannot get even one passport at ease and on time while on the other hand there are some who are so much privileged like Tauqir Sadiq who get even two passports and that too without even visiting the passport office what to talk of queuing up like the rest of the applicants? Will public know as to who issued him two passports and what punishment will be given to those who are directly or indirectly involved is such heinous crime?

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait