ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday inaugurated an advanced monitoring and analytics framework at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, marking a major step toward the full digitisation of Pakistan’s travel document issuance system.
The highlight of the visit was the launch of SHAKRA (Secure Hybrid Intelligence for Knowledge-Based Response Analytics), a state-of-the-art platform designed to provide real-time oversight of passport applications, printing operations, and overall departmental performance. To complement the system, authorities have established a dedicated 24/7 monitoring room, a centralised call centre, and a newly digitised Emergency Travel Document mechanism.
During a comprehensive technical briefing, the minister was informed that SHAKRA employs advanced data analytics to ensure transparency and traceability at every stage of the passport issuance cycle. Naqvi observed that, with Pakistan’s passport infrastructure now aligned with international benchmarks, authorities can monitor document processing and delivery both domestically and at overseas missions in real time.
“Our objective is to provide citizens with fast, secure, and world-class services,” Naqvi said, adding that the new system substantially improves the operational efficiency and accountability of the Passport Department.
He further noted that Pakistan’s passport security features now fully comply with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The shift to modern, automated German printing technology has increased production capacity while virtually eliminating manual intervention in the printing process — a move aimed at minimising errors and curbing the potential for corruption.
A tour of the facility, including the forensic laboratory and the e-monitoring room, featured a digitally integrated dashboard that enables senior management to assess staff performance on a daily basis. The system also flags operational bottlenecks — such as crowding at regional passport offices or machinery downtime — in real time, allowing for immediate corrective action.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by senior officials, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general, the Immigration and Passports director general, the Islamabad chief commissioner, and the Islamabad Police Inspector General.
