600,000. That’s the number of passports that have been delayed by Pakistan’s Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.

Whether it’s due to tough economic conditions or the prevailing political situation, a record number of Pakistanis have been applying for passports (and wishing to go abroad). The daily number of applications has risen from 25,000 to 60,000 in recent months.

However, people have been facing months-long delays. Nukta explains why this is happening and when the problem is expected to be resolved.