ISLAMABAD, July 30: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate the digitisation of embassy and consular services for overseas Pakistanis, introducing faster document verification, QR code-based complaint registration and a new mobile application aimed at improving access to government services abroad.
The initiative is expected to simplify official procedures for millions of Pakistanis living overseas by reducing paperwork, shortening processing times and enabling easier access to consular services. Overseas Pakistanis are among the country’s largest contributors to the economy through annual remittances and remain a key focus of the government’s public service reforms.
The prime minister chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review progress on expanding digital services for overseas Pakistanis. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Ministry of Information Technology and other relevant departments, along with Pakistani ambassadors serving in different countries, briefed him on ongoing reforms.
Shehbaz Sharif said overseas Pakistanis are a valuable national asset and reiterated that providing them with efficient and accessible government services remains one of the government’s top priorities.
QR Code Complaint System Expanded
The meeting was informed that QR codes have already been introduced to simplify services related to powers of attorney, property transactions, document attestation and complaint registration for Pakistanis living abroad.
The prime minister welcomed the digitisation of the complaint mechanism and directed Pakistani embassies and missions to prominently display QR codes to improve public access.
He also instructed authorities to launch a dedicated awareness campaign so overseas Pakistanis can easily use the new digital complaint system.
One-Step Document Attestation Introduced
Officials told the meeting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently launched an evening shift at its Islamabad office to facilitate document attestation.
The same service has also been introduced at the Asaan Khidmat Markaz in Islamabad, while courier-based document verification is now available to further simplify the process.
The document attestation system has also been integrated with databases maintained by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) and the National Police Bureau (NPB), significantly speeding up verification.
The government said the attestation process has now been converted into a one-step procedure, with work continuing to fully digitise the entire system.
Mobile App Under Development
Officials informed the prime minister that the National Information Technology Board (NITB) is developing a mobile application that will enable users to digitally verify a range of official documents.
The app will support the verification of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage registration certificates, family registration certificates and other essential documents.
According to the government, the digital platform will reduce the need for repeated visits to embassies and government offices while improving convenience for overseas Pakistanis.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended the meeting.
Minister of State Awn Chaudhry, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa and senior officials from relevant ministries also participated.
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