Pakistanis in Spain wait for release of passports after renewal

BARCELONA: A large number of Pakistanis in Spain are waiting for the release of their passports after receiving them from Pakistan following their renewals, sources told News Diplomacy correspondent here.

They said that Pakistani nationals living in any part of the country could apply online for the renewal of their passports. 

Hundreds of Pakistanis had online applied for the renewal of their passports in Spain. However, when the passports reached Spain they were not released by the airport authorities. 

Under the rules, Pakistanis could apply for the renewal of their passports through the embassy or consulates of their country or from the places of their work and even residences. 

The Spanish authorities also stopped the passports of those applicants who had applied through the embassy or the consulates. However, these passports were later released on the intervention of the Madrid embassy and Bareclona consulate.

But a large number of Pakistanis are still waiting for the release of their passports by the airport authorities. 

When contacted, Consul General of Pakistan at Barcelona Murad Ali Wazir confirmed to News Diplomacy that Pakistanis who had applied for renewal of their passports were facing problems in receiving them.

However, he added, passports of those who had applied through the embassy and the consulate were being facilitated. 

He said on the complaints of many applicants, the issue was being taken up with authorities concerned. He expressed the hope that the matter would be resolved soon.