DGIP Scandal: 46 Officers Overstay Abroad, Rs 1.28 Billion in Irregularities Uncovered

Islamabad — Alarming administrative irregularities have been uncovered in the foreign postings of officers and staff from the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP), revealing serious negligence in oversight and personnel management.

According to credible sources, 46 officers and employees, deployed across various Pakistani missions abroad, have overstayed their official terms without returning to Pakistan. Shockingly, the department has failed to appoint replacements, leading to operational disruptions in several diplomatic missions.

The group includes 13 officers of Grade 17 and 12 employees of Grade 16, with the remainder belonging to lower grades. These individuals were assigned to manage immigration and passport services at embassies and consulates around the world.

Administrative experts warn that such negligence has severely impacted service delivery, causing delays and complications for overseas Pakistanis seeking passport and immigration assistance. The lack of timely replacements has resulted in increased workloads at affected missions and a decline in service quality.

Sources also revealed that some officers, after completing their tenure, remained abroad in pursuit of foreign citizenship or employment opportunities, avoiding repatriation. So far, there is no evidence of disciplinary action taken against them by the department.

The situation has prompted calls for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Interior and higher authorities to restore transparency and accountability within the system.

In a separate development, the DGIP reported that it collected a record Rs 44.11 billion in passport fees during the 2023–24 fiscal year. However, an audit has revealed irregularities worth Rs 1.28 billion, further raising concerns over financial and administrative mismanagement.

Read more: Pakistan to Crack Down on Deportees with FIRs, Passport Cancellations

Observers stress the urgent need for reforms to ensure effective governance and uphold public trust in national institutions.