Foreign Office extends consular services to 12-hour weekday schedule

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced an evening shift for consular services, allowing the public to access the facility from 8am to 8pm on weekdays.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the move on Monday, saying the extended schedule was part of efforts to improve public service delivery at the ministry.

In a post on X, Dar said, "As part of our commitment to improving public service delivery, I am pleased to announce the launch of an Evening Shift for Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." He added that citizens could now avail consular services from "8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday."

Officials said the revised timings had been laid out in a public notice issued by the ministry.

Previously, consular services at the Foreign Office were available during standard government working hours. The extended schedule is expected to ease access for applicants who found daytime-only hours difficult, particularly working professionals and overseas Pakistanis visiting the country.