Citizens complained about the closed passport department, saying that despite the repeated promises to resume operations, the department has yet to reopen.  

Students, Afghans who work abroad, and people who must bring patients out of the country for medical treatment were among those who gathered at the closed office.

Pacha Gul, who came to Kabul from the southeastern province of Paktia, said: “It (passport) has expired. I go to Pakistan to Peshawar. I paid 700 dollars for only one gate pass for the consulate ... but the process didn’t work there either and now I came here, but (the department) is closed.”  

He said that he worked in Saudi Arabia and that he was unable to travel because his passport has expired.

Rostam Amerkhil, a resident of Wardak province, said: “Everything is connected to the passport, if they want to go out, or stay inside ... Let the passport office be open ... Don’t cause trouble for people.” 

Shafiq Hamdam, a university student said: “Let the passport department be opened, some are medical patients, some have trade problems and some have educational problems."

The interior ministry said that the passport department would soon resume its activities. 

“Decisions has been taken in this regard," said Sayed Khosti, a spokesman for the ministry. “The process will begin soon.”   

This comes as sources within the passport department told TOLOnews that the coming cabinet meeting would discuss the passport department’s activity.