How the New Advanced Passport Monitoring System is Revolutionizing Pakistan’s Immigration Services

In a landmark move toward digitizing public services, the Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has formally inaugurated the "SHIKRA" (Secure Hybrid Intelligence for Knowledge-based Response Analytics) monitoring system. This advanced passport monitoring system, launched on January 26, 2026, at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P) in Islamabad, marks a significant leap in Pakistan’s commitment to administrative transparency and efficiency.

1. Overview of the Advanced Passport Monitoring System

The newly inaugurated advanced passport monitoring system is designed to provide end-to-end oversight of the entire passport lifecycle. From the moment an applicant submits their documents to the final delivery of the booklet, the system ensures that every stage is tracked in real-time. This reform is expected to significantly reduce delays and eliminate the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically plagued passport issuance in Pakistan.

Core Objectives of the SHIKRA System

Real-Time Tracking: Monitoring applications both within Pakistan and across overseas missions.

Operational Transparency: A digital dashboard allows senior officials to evaluate staff performance and daily workflows.

International Standards: Aligning Pakistan’s travel documents with global best practices and ICAO security protocols.

2. Features of the SHIKRA Infrastructure

The advanced passport monitoring system is not just a software update; it is a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul. The Interior Minister emphasized that the system brings the department in line with international standards, ensuring fast and secure services for all citizens.

24/7 Monitoring and Call Center

A dedicated, round-the-clock Monitoring Room and a modernized Call Center have been established to provide immediate support to citizens. This ensures that any technical or procedural issues identified by the advanced passport monitoring system are addressed instantly.

Automated Printing Technology

The department has introduced high-speed, automatic German printing machines. This upgrade has:

Eliminated Human Intervention: Reducing the margin for error and corruption.

Increased Capacity: Doubling the daily output to clear historic backlogs.

Enhanced Security: Integrating 29 new security features, including advanced encryption and ICAO-compliant watermarks.

3. Digital Transformation: The SHIKRA Dashboard

The heart of the advanced passport monitoring system is the Secure Hybrid Intelligence for Knowledge-based Response Analytics (SHIKRA) dashboard. This tool provides a holistic view of the national and international passport operations through a single integrated interface.

Feature	Description	Impact on Citizen Service
Crowd Management	Automatic identification of overcrowding at regional offices.	Reduced wait times and organized queues.
Machine Status Tracking	Real-time monitoring of printing machinery health.	Preemptive maintenance and zero downtime.
Staff Evaluation	Live metrics on application processing times per officer.	Increased accountability and productivity.
Backlog Alerts	System-generated warnings for delayed applications.	Faster resolution of pending cases.

4. Impact on Overseas Pakistanis and Emergency Travel

The reach of the advanced passport monitoring system extends far beyond the borders of Islamabad. For the millions of Pakistanis living abroad, the system offers unprecedented visibility into their application status. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi specifically directed that the Emergency Travel Document (ETD) system be fully digitized as part of this launch.

Global Connectivity: Overseas missions are now linked to the central SHIKRA server for uniform monitoring.

Digital ETD: Facilitating citizens who need to travel urgently but face passport-related hurdles.

Secure Delivery: Tracking the logistics of passport shipments to ensure they reach the correct recipients globally.

5. Future-Proofing Pakistan’s Immigration Services

The inauguration of the advanced passport monitoring system is part of a broader vision for a "Digital Pakistan." By integrating forensic labs, e-monitoring rooms, and advanced production units, the government is building a framework that can adapt to future technological shifts.

"Our objective is to ensure the provision of fast, secure, and globally compliant services to citizens. The modern monitoring system will further enhance the performance of the Passport Department," stated Mohsin Naqvi during the ceremony.

Strategic Implementation Steps

Phase I: Launch of the SHIKRA dashboard and 24/7 Monitoring Room (Completed).

Phase II: Expansion of the system to all 26 new Fast Track passport centers across Pakistan.

Phase III: Integration with the "Nusuk" app and other international travel portals for seamless verification.

6. Summary of Benefits

The advanced passport monitoring system is a game-changer for public administration in Pakistan. By leveraging artificial intelligence and hybrid analytics, the SHIKRA system ensures that the Department of Immigration and Passports is no longer a source of frustration for the public.

Speed: Real-time monitoring accelerates the issuance of standard and urgent passports.

Trust: The elimination of human intervention in printing builds public confidence.

Reliability: Automated machinery ensures that the quality of the passport meets ICAO standards consistently.

The inauguration of this advanced passport monitoring system marks the beginning of a new era where technology serves the citizen, ensuring that the Pakistani passport is respected both for its security and the efficiency of its issuance process.

Would you like me to create a step-by-step guide for citizens on how to use the new tracking features of the SHIKRA system?

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