This is a personal experience for renewal of a passport in Lahore for a senior citizen above 65 years of age. Although I am 87 years old yet the senior citizens line was clogged for persons with elderly men and women hurded like sheep and goats in a pen with no room for movement. The scribe departed in this hapless situation which makes its very difficult if not impossible for citizens over 65 years who cannot stand for hours outside. Pakistan has a population of about 20 crores. Is it not possible to issue for life passports to old people like I.D. cards after 65 years? Every five years renewal of passport makes it hard on old people to stand for hours in inclement weather outside with no toilet facilities or sitting arrangements. What is the use of orange trains and motor ways if one old man cannot even renew his passport after 65 years of age. I have decided never to renew a passport to see my daughter in Dubai after going through horrible scenes at the passport office in Lahore. It is better to stay at home rather than go through excruciating experience of passport renewal every five years that is next to impossible for senior citizens.
DR. MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI,
Lahore, February 24.