Travellers must shift to Pakistan e-passports as MRP issuance ends 15 Oct 2026

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a public notice announcing the discontinuation of machine readable passports (MRPs) with effect from 15 October 2026. The notice was published through the High Commission of Pakistan in Singapore.

Key facts

• What: Machine readable passports (MRPs) are being discontinued
• Effective date: 15 October 2026
• Announced by: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Published by: the High Commission of Pakistan in Singapore

What is changing?

The public notice states that machine readable passports will be discontinued with effect from 15 October 2026. The notice does not set out what document will replace MRPs, or what will happen to passports already in circulation.

Who is affected?

The notice was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and published by the High Commission of Pakistan in Singapore. The notice does not specify which passport holders, nationalities or application routes are affected by the change.

What is not yet clear

The public notice does not state a replacement document, application procedure, fees, processing times or any transition arrangements for travellers holding an existing machine readable passport. No further details on those points appear in the notice.

What this means for travellers

Travellers who plan to apply for a Pakistani passport should note the discontinuation date of 15 October 2026 and check what passport type is being issued before making travel plans. Anyone holding a machine readable passport may wish to confirm its status before booking, as the notice does not explain what happens to existing documents.

No further announcements or next steps are set out in the notice.