Officials at the Passport Department said on Tuesday at a press conference that passport processing is set to begin across Afghanistan on April 5th.

Shafiullah Tasal, spokesman of the passport department, also said the department has recruited female staff to assist with the processing and distribution of passports for women.

“From sixteen of Hamal (solar month), April 5th, the processing of online passports will begin normally in Kabul and all provinces,” said Shafiullah Tasal.

Tasal expressed hopes that female staff could accelerate the processing of passports for women.

Officials said that at least six people were arrested on charges of corruption and for soliciting bribes over the 30 past days in Kabul.

“The arrested people made a fake stamp and signature of the passport director, and they were preparing fake documents for people in return for money,” said Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Security officer at the passport department.

Meanwhile, residents of Kabul welcomed the arrest of corrupt people, but they urged officials to consider people’s problems.

“I need a passport to travel with my family to India for medical treatment. I have no one here to take care of my children so I want to apply for a passport and I hope to receive it,” said Laila, a passport applicant.

Currently, the passport department is processing at least 300 online forms per day which is not a normal process for applicants.