The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has cancelled 701 diplomatic and service passports as part of a nationwide recall of official travel documents.
This decision follows multiple public announcements urging former officials and other holders of these passports to return them.
Affected Passports:
– *Diplomatic Passports:* 341 passports cancelled and placed on a stop-list, invalidating them for international travel
– *Service Passports:* 360 passports cancelled and placed on a stop-list, making them unusable for international travel
Who’s Affected:
– Former Government Officials:
– Former Ministers and their spouses
– Former Members of Parliament
– Former Council of State members and spouses
– Retired Justices of the Superior and Lower Courts
– Former Regional Ministers, MMDCEs, and board members
– Other Individuals:
– Officials of the National Cathedral Project
– Former non-career ambassadors and their dependents
– Religious and traditional leaders
– Businesspersons and entrepreneurs
– Former government functionaries not currently in service
The Ministry, in a statement said it will implement strict enforcement at points of entry and exit, confiscating affected passports found in use.
This measure aims to ensure compliance with the Passports and Travel Certificates Act, 1967 (NLCD 155), specifically sections 6 and 7, regulating official passport issuance and use.
