Following frequent complaints over the closed Passport Department in Kabul, several people raised their voices on Thursday to reopen the department.

A large number of people gathered at the door of the department, claiming that they must travel so their relatives can receive medical care.

Ali Mohammad Mohammadi said his 32-year-old daughter has heart illness. He wants to take her abroad. Ali Mohammad said: “I have a patient to take outside the country but we do not have passports. The department is closed.”

Abdul Rashid said his wife needs to go outside the country for medical treatment. He said: “my wife is ill. I come here to get a passport for her.”

The number of people applying for passports has increased due to many reasons. Fleeing the country, traveling for medical treatment, escaping poverty and security threats are among the reasons.

Human rights say that traveling is a civil right for everyone.

Sayed Mohammad Same said: “It is an Islamic principle that a person can leave his\her country based on political, security and economic issues. Or they can return. The international laws also accept that this is a right.”

Meanwhile Abdul Khaleq Mohammadi, the deputy of the Passport Department, said the office will possibly start work next week. “The system and equipment is good. No problem exists. But the issue is that the passport department connects to some other organizations like the ministry of interior, Afghanistan's central bank, Afghanistan central civil registration authority and the ministry of commerce."

Government offices and some private organizations have remained closed since the Taliban takeover.