Hassle-free passport service must be ensured: Kamal

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said passport related services must be ensured to service seekers.

"I don't want to receive any sound (Uh) from passport service seekers," he stated while addressing inaugural ceremony of Regional Passport Office, Dhaka East (Aftabnagar) and Dhaka West (Mohammedpur) and Passport Office (Call Center) in the city.

The minister said that people will get benefits from the two new passport offices and call center, adding, "Pointing out of those officials who will work at these offices, I will say, you will serve the people and you are here for providing service to people. We don't even want to hear the 'Uh' sound of people coming for receiving services."

"The more you will serve them, the more you will gain reputation," Kamal added.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced in 2008 that Bangladesh will be digitized country.

"Since this announcement, we have taken the task for issuing MRP passports. We faced many challenges for this. After overcoming all the hurdles, the MRP was introduced. Then we step into the world of e-passport. The quality of our passports is also improving. Our passport is already recognized as a world class," he added.

The minister said, "We have now started our journey towards Smart Bangladesh from Digital one. E-Passport and e-Gate of Immigration are giving a hint of Smart Bangladesh.

Besides, e-Visa is also going to be launched very soon. We are also going to launch Passenger Advance Information. Although it is not under our Ministry, arrangements are being made to launch Passenger Advance Information on behalf of Civil Aviation."

"When these facilities will be launched, if a passenger buys a ticket, we will know who is coming to Bangladesh or who is going abroad from Bangladesh. We have been able to launch e-passport services from 71 passport offices in the country and 32 diplomatic missions abroad," he added.

Kamal also said that within short time the government will launch the e-passport service from every passport offices home and abroad.

Replying to a question about e-gate, he said e-gate launched at the airport for easy immigration. The minister also said that it is still running on a trial basis.

Director General of Immigration and Passport Department Major General Md Nurul Anwar presided over the function, while home ministry's parliamentary standing committee chairman Benazir Ahmed, Member of Parliament in Dhaka-13 constituency Sadek Khan and security service division secretary Md Abdullah Al Masood Chowdhury spoke it.