Pakistan Denies Claims of Passport Clause Removal
Pakistan has strongly denied allegations from Indian media that it has removed a clause from its passport restricting travel to Israel. In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the reports as “completely baseless and laughable,” emphasizing that no such changes have ever been discussed or considered by the government.
The controversy began when an Indian news channel, Republic TV, claimed that Pakistan had eliminated the clause in its passport stating, “not valid for travel to Israel.” The channel also alleged that Pakistan was preparing to send 20,000 troops to Gaza under the supervision of Western countries and Israel. However, these claims were quickly refuted by Pakistani authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that there is no truth to the reports about deploying 20,000 Pakistani troops to Gaza. It stated that no discussions or agreements have taken place with the CIA or Israel. Additionally, neither the Foreign Office nor the military authorized or announced any mission to Gaza.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports reiterated that the Pakistani passport still contains the long-standing clause: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” The information ministry emphasized that Pakistan’s stance on Israel has always been clear. It stated, “Pakistan has never recognized Israel, and there is absolutely no question of military cooperation.” The ministry also reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
In addition, the information ministry criticized Republic TV’s report, noting that it was not picked up by any credible regional or international media outlet. This, according to the ministry, highlights how “fabricated and unserious” the claim was. The ministry also accused Indian media of spreading false information, calling it a “habit of spreading lies.”
Passport Revamp Underway
It should be noted that the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports recently announced that the Pakistani passport is undergoing a revamp to include modern security features aimed at preventing forgery and misuse. The new passports will feature the mother’s name and visa pages with images of national landmarks, showcasing cultural diversity.
The changes are based on principles of “modernity and harmonisation,” with no other alterations to the format. The printing of the upgraded passports has already begun following approval from the Ministry of Interior.