IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN 
(ORIGINAL JURISDICTION) 
 
 
PRESENT: 
MR. JUSTICE TASSADUQ HUSSAIN JILLANI, HCJ 
MR. JUSTICE KHILJI ARIF HUSSAIN 
MR. JUSTICE SH. AZMAT SAEED 
 
H.R.C. NO. 3677-E OF 2014 
(Non-availability of machine readable passports 
in Pakistan Embassy in China) 
 
In Attendance: 
Mr. Shah Khawar, Addl. Attorney General 
 
Mr. Muhammad Safdar, PD(MRP), Immigration & 
Passport 
 
Ch. Salman, Manager, HR(I&P)  
 
Barrister Mudassar Shah Naqvi, Legal Advisor (I&P) 
 
 
Date of Hearing: 
 
17.02.2014 
 
ORDER 
 
 
 
Mr. Muhammad Safdar, Project Director (Machine Readable 
Passports), Immigration & Passport Department submits that the office is in 
receipt of the applications of 7500 overseas Pakistanis who are held up in 
China because of non-availability of Machine Readable Passports in Pakistan 
Embassy in China. He added that the machine was installed in February, 2013, 
however, it is not operational on account of non-appointment of the technical 
officer which is a grade-17 post. Adds on Court query that a reference was sent 
to Ministry of Interior in July, 2013; that 4/5 reminders were issued but the 
Ministry has not issued the requisite appointment order because the said 
Ministry has sent the reference to the Prime Minister Secretariat and on 
account of the general ban imposed, no further action could be taken.  
 
2. 
 
We are surprised and rather dismayed over the insensitive attitude 
of the passport department. However, before we pass any order, we are 
persuaded to direct Secretary Interior to appear in Court on 19.02.2014 and 
explain the factual position.  
 
CHIEF JUSTICE 
 
JUDGE 
 
 
 
JUDGE 
Islamabad, the 
17th of February, 2014 
Khurram 
