04/12/2023
E-PASSPORT: INTRODUCTION
E-Passport is a Biometric Machine Readable Passport that has an embedded electronic chip either in Polycarbonate page or Outer cover which contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity/ Data originality of Passport holder.
Pakistan e-Passport contains Microchip (containing Data and biometrics of Passport holder as per ICAO Standards) embedded within Polycarbonate Data Page, with laser engraving of Applicant Data and backed by Public Key infrastructure (PKI) which makes fool proof active verification and authentication.
SWITCHING TO E-PASSPORT
Global Trend / International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliance
Enhanced Security features of e-Data page
Thwart counterfeit/ Forgery/ Tempering
Ease of Service (e-Gates)
Authenticate data through readable chips
Improve credibility of passport
LAUNCH OF E-PASSPORT PROJECT
E-Passport was inaugurated on 30th March 2022 by then Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan.
DGI&P after getting live on 3rd October 2022 has issued 185 Diplomatic and 6400 Official e-Passports to Government Dignitaries, Diplomats and Government officers.
Sample e-Passports along with CSCA Public certificate for proper validation have been circulated through Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Foreign Missions/ Embassies.
WAY FORWARD
E-Passport is a pilot project (1st Phase for Official and Diplomatic Categories issuance)
PC-1 for purchase of New Personalization Machines is submitted to Ministry of Interior for CDWP approval with an estimated financial outlay of 2959.438 Million Rs. on 10th February 2023.
Integration with FIA/Border Control for e-Gates Facility and ICAO. (Future Upgradation)
SECURITY FEATURES OF E-DATAPAGE
Guilloche Printing
Offset Microtext
Deliberate Errors
Linewidth Modulation
Relief Printing
Rainbow Printing
Optically Variable Ink (OVI)
Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID)
UV Printing
Multicolor UV Image
Raster Printing
Secure Hinge
Infrared Transparent
Relief Embossing and Secure Surface
Multiple Laser Image (MLI)
SECURITY FEATURES
Mixed security links
High secure multi-layer construction without any kind of glue
IR Transparent/absorbent ink
Line width modulation
Relief pattern
Distorted background pattern
OVI-optical variable ink (gold to green)
Modulated microtext
MLI-multiple laseer image
Random wavy line
Customized screen pattern
Rainbow printing
Delibarate spelling mistake (Inverted “C”)
Guilloche printing
DOVID
Raster printing (dot structure printed pattern)
3D design relief
Delibarate spelling mistake (Inverted “K”)
GUILLOCHE PRINTING
Guilloche pattern is fine intricate design consisting of interlaced continuous lines arranged in geometric patterns.
Security printing composes designs of guilloches or of other fine line patterns, with the aim of raising the barrier for re-origination and reproduction. They are often combined with rainbow printing.
Islamic Geometric pattern along with fine intricate line pattern of “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.
