Directorate of Immigration Seeks Extension for DG Mustafa Jamal Kazi Amid Concerns
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (I&P) has formally requested an extension of the deputation of Mustafa Jamal Kazi, who is currently serving as the Director General of the department.
According to sources, the Directorate, following Kazi’s instructions, has submitted the request to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), asking the ministry to forward it to the Establishment Division for further consideration.
However, the request has raised questions within the Ministry, as Kazi is due to retire in May 2026, leaving less than eight months of service even if the extension is approved.
During his tenure, Kazi has overseen initiatives such as digitizing passport services and expanding regional passport offices. Despite these efforts, the Directorate has faced operational challenges and public dissatisfaction. In the past year, millions of applicants across the country experienced delays in passport processing, including urgent and executive services, causing frustration nationwide.
A recent audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has added to the scrutiny. The report highlighted violations in foreign posting policies and non-compliance with official procedures under Kazi’s leadership. Notably, 46 officers who completed foreign postings have not returned to Pakistan but continue to receive full salaries and benefits.
Inside sources reveal that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed concerns over Kazi’s failure to implement official directives issued on February 29, 2024, regarding foreign postings of IMPASS officers. This, according to sources, has affected the operational capacity of the Directorate both in Pakistan and abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also repeatedly raised issues over staffing shortages at Pakistani missions overseas, which have disrupted Machine Readable Passport (MRP) services for expatriates. “Despite repeated reminders, the Directorate failed to make the required postings, paralyzing MRP operations in several missions abroad,” a MOFA official stated.
With growing internal dissatisfaction, public complaints, and critical audit observations, it remains uncertain whether the Ministry will approve Kazi’s extension or opt for new leadership to improve the Directorate’s performance.
Efforts to reach the Ministry of Interior’s spokesperson for comment remained unanswered at the time of publication.
