Three-Year Performance of the Passport Directorate and the Introduction of Passport Delivery to Doorsteps
After three years of the Islamic Emirate's rule in Afghanistan, the General Directorate of Passports has remained one of the key institutions responsible for managing citizens' travel documents. During this period, the Directorate has faced challenges such as increased demand, technical limitations, and international sanctions.
Weezha Roz-Kabul-The new initiative to deliver passports to citizens’ doorsteps in Kabul, in cooperation with Afghan Post, has been introduced as a step to improve services and reduce the burden of in-person visits.
After the Islamic Emirate took control in 1400 (2021), the passport issuance system faced widespread disruptions.
The suspension of international aid and the departure of technical staff severely slowed down the issuance process.
In the first year, the focus was on reopening passport offices in major cities and managing the backlog of applications.
In 1402 (2023), the introduction of a digital registration system for applications led to a significant reduction in fraud and an increase in transparency.
The number of passport applicants rose sharply due to widespread migration and the need for valid travel documents.
Now, with the introduction of the passport delivery service to doorsteps in Kabul, in partnership with Afghan Post, this has been recognized as a major milestone in providing remote access to services.
Applicants in Kabul, after registering their applications online or in-person, can receive their passports at their residence, workplace, or even at a store. The cost of this service has not yet been disclosed.
Abdul Karim Hasib, the Director General of Passports, mentioned that they provide services to 30,000 people daily and that passport issuance is completed within three days.
He emphasized that “there are no challenges in passport distribution.”
Reducing the need for physical visits, especially for women and elderly citizens, is seen as a positive step toward easier access.
The use of Afghan Post’s capacity could also help reduce administrative corruption.
However, the claim of serving 30,000 people daily and issuing passports in three days requires confirmation from independent sources. In recent months, reports of several months’ delays in some provinces have been published.
Residents of remote areas and provinces still do not have access to these services.
The delivery of passports via mail may carry security risks or the potential for misuse.If the doorstep passport delivery plan is properly implemented, it could enhance public trust in government institutions.
However, its success will depend on addressing challenges such as expanding services to rural areas, ensuring document security, and ensuring transparency in the data.
The performance of the Passport Directorate over the past three years shows that, although progress has been made, the gap between claims and field realities still requires further scrutiny.
Weezha Roz
