Over two million people register with Abshir e-services

Jeddah: A senior official at the Saudi Passport Department has reiterated that the new electronic service, Abshir, has successfully curbed crowding at passport offices. Maj. Gen. Hussain Al-Harthy, director-general of the Passport Department in the Makkah province, told Arab News that two million people, including expatriates, have registered with the system since it was introduced three years ago. “This system has helped in extending most department services through its website, saving a lot of time and energy for its customers,” he said. He said that the department is working to launch a same-day delivery service in the province following an agreement with Saudi Post for the distribution of passports and resident permits (iqamas) at applicants’ places of residence. “The department has already introduced this service in Riyadh,” he said. “The Passport Department is willing to work with stakeholders to improve its services to citizens,” he said during his hosting of a delegation from the Jeddah Municipality on Sunday. The delegation has requested that passport authorities raise awareness about Abshir services among the masses through targeting individual neighborhoods. Abdul Malik Junaidi, chairman of Jeddah’s Municipal Council, along with Deputy Chairman Waheed Jamjoom and other members of the delegation, met with Al-Harthy and Brig. Faleh Al-Hazmi, assistant director-general. The delegation also requested that passport officials hold a workshop at the Municipal Council in downtown Jeddah to explain services and mechanisms to residents and citizens.   Arab News