The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, in collaboration with its liaison offices in Karachi and Lahore, has introduced a new initiative to facilitate applicants seeking apostille attestation. Designated courier companies will now collect documents from applicants, which will then be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This move aims to streamline the document attestation process and make it more convenient for individuals seeking apostille attestation.
The authorised courier companies, including TCS, M&P, Gerry’s, Leopard, and ECS, will collect documents from applicants in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. However, it is important to note that these courier companies are not authorised to accept Power of Attorney documents.
In 2023, the government of Pakistan acceded to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) of 1961. This convention simplifies the public document authentication process, replacing the traditional legalisation requirement with a single formality – the issuance of an authentication certificate called “Apostille” by the designated authority of the country where the document was issued.
The Apostille certificate is recognised by all member countries of the Hague Convention, allowing foreign public documents to be directly presented to the authorities concerned without any additional attestation requirements. This development is expected to significantly reduce the complexity and cost associated with the legalisation process, making it easier for individuals to authenticate their documents for international use.
The introduction of this new initiative and Pakistan’s accession to the Apostille Convention demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and facilitating individuals in their personal and professional endeavors. By streamlining the document attestation process, the government aims to promote trade, commerce, and education, and enhance Pakistan’s global connectivity.
