The Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat has announced a temporary suspension of passport processing services on October 15, 2026, due to technical issues. The embassy informed Pakistani citizens living in Oman about the disruption through a notice shared on Facebook.
According to the announcement, passport services will remain unavailable on Thursday, October 15. The embassy has confirmed that normal operations are scheduled to resume on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The embassy requested cooperation from the Pakistani community during this temporary suspension. It also thanked citizens for their patience and understanding.
Pakistani nationals in Oman who need passport-related services should consider the announced schedule before visiting the embassy. Applicants are advised to plan their visits accordingly to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
Embassy Suspends Passport Processing Due to Technical Issues
The temporary suspension comes as Pakistan prepares for a major change in its passport issuance system. The government is ending the issuance of new machine-readable passports (MRPs) from October 15, 2026.
Under the revised policy, all new passport applications will be processed through the e-passport system. The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) has instructed passport offices to stop accepting applications for new machine-readable passports from the announced date.
October 14, 2026, was the final day for applicants seeking a new machine-readable passport under the previous system. From October 15, new applications will move to the electronic passport system.
The change marks an important step in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its passport services. It also affects passport processing arrangements at Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad.
Existing Machine-Readable Passports Remain Valid
The new policy does not immediately invalidate machine-readable passports already held by Pakistani citizens. Existing MRPs will remain valid until their respective expiry dates.
However, citizens will not be able to renew expired machine-readable passports under the previous system. Instead, they will need to apply for e-passports when their existing documents expire.
The DGI&P has circulated the revised instructions among passport offices across Pakistan. Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad have also been directed to implement the new policy.
This transition means that citizens applying for new passports will need to follow the updated requirements. Applicants should check the relevant passport office or diplomatic mission for guidance on the application process.
Pakistan Moves Towards a Fully Digital Passport System
The latest development follows a decision announced in June by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. He announced plans to move Pakistan completely towards an e-passport system.
The transition is intended to establish a unified approach to passport issuance. It will gradually replace the older machine-readable passport system for new applications and subsequent renewals.
For Pakistanis living in Oman, the temporary suspension of passport services in Muscat coincides with the nationwide policy change. Citizens should distinguish between the embassy’s one-day service disruption and the broader transition to e-passports.
While the embassy expects passport processing services to resume on October 16, the new passport policy remains in effect. Applicants should therefore confirm the availability of services and applicable requirements before visiting.
The embassy’s announcement provides Pakistani citizens in Oman with an important scheduling update. Meanwhile, the government continues implementing the shift towards e-passports across domestic passport offices and diplomatic missions worldwide.
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