The Cabinet has approved a programme to issue 4,000 passports per day by operating the Immigration and Emigration Department around the clock, with additional staff recruited on a contract basis, including pensioners.

Following recommendations from an expert committee appointed to enhance passport services, the government has already begun procuring 1.1 million empty passports with “P” category chips.

Additionally, government officers will be temporarily assigned to the department, with approval from the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, to support the process.