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Dhaka, 08 June, 2025 : The decision to eliminate mandatory police verification for passport issuance has yielded remarkable results, with the Passport Directorate issuing 932,086 passports from March to May this year. This achievement is considered a historic milestone in the country’s passport issuance history.
According to the Passport Directorate, the removal of police verification has significantly reduced delays and the influence of intermediaries, enabling applicants to receive their passports within the stipulated time. As of February 21, 169,138 passport applications were pending due to verification delays, all of which have now been processed and delivered to applicants.
Passport Issuance Statistics
- March: 257,053 passports
- April: 322,130 passports
- May: 352,424 passports
Major General Nurul Anwar, Director General of the Passport Directorate, stated, “By removing the mandatory verification process, applicants are now receiving their passports within the designated timeframe, saving both time and hassle.”
Applicants’ Experience
During a visit to the Passport Directorate, applicants shared that the elimination of police verification has alleviated their struggles. One applicant remarked, “Despite having a national ID card, we faced harassment due to police verification, including demands for money. Now, I received my passport within 10 days without any intermediaries. It feels like a dream.”
Expert and Official Opinions
Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda, a columnist and professor at Daffodil University’s Law Department, commented, “The removal of police verification has strengthened citizens’ rights.” A senior official from the Immigration and Passport Directorate noted, “With the super express service, we can now issue passports within 24 to 48 hours for urgent cases.”
Government Directive
On February 18, the Security Services Division of the Home Ministry issued a circular stating that passports would be issued based on verified National ID (NID) or online birth registration data, eliminating the need for police verification. This policy also applies to Bangladeshi citizens abroad and minors. For passport renewals, any changes to basic information can be processed using NID data, streamlining the process.
This transformative decision has not only expedited passport issuance but also enhanced public trust in the system, marking a significant step forward in administrative efficiency.
AI/MR
