Afghans complain of slow passport distribution

KABUL (TOLOnews): Citizens voiced complaints about the slow passport distribution process, in interviews with TOLOnews.
They said that not having a passport had caused the residents to face several issues, therefore they requested that the General Directorate of Passports expedite the distribution of passports in the nation’s capital and other provinces.
“I’ve been coming here for about three or four days, and I requested a name change on my passport. The manager collected our documents, and I don’t know what will happen next,” said Idris, a resident of Kabul. “People are having a lot of issues. Some of them applied a year ago, but they haven’t yet received them. People have (medical) patients,” said Zazai, a resident of Kabul.
The General Directorate of Passports said that the passport distribution process continues as usual, and efforts are being made to reach all applicants.
“In accordance with procedure, we distribute passports to our citizens and work to bring more amenities. Passports cannot be issued to anyone who opposes the rules and regulations,” said Noorullah Patman, spokesperson of the Directorate of Passports.
According to a statement from the General Directorate of Passports’ spokesperson, anyone with unpaid debts, active criminal, civil, or commercial cases will not be issued passports.
The following individuals are not eligible to receive passports:

1. People who have been banned from leaving due to non-payment of debts or other obligations by the relevant departments.
2. People who have been convicted by the court in civil and commercial criminal cases
3. Children who do not have parents or a legal guardian.
   Eight to ten thousand passports are issued daily in Kabul and the provinces, according to figures from the General Directorate of Passports, and efforts are being made to set up passport distribution centers in each of the capital’s four zones.