ISLAMABAD: The government has approved an amnesty scheme for people holding two passports and two computerised national identity cards (CNICs), asking them to surrender one passport and CNIC to avoid legal action.

A summary sent by the Interior Ministry to the federal government for the amnesty scheme was approved in the last cabinet meeting, said a statement. The amnesty scheme would remain in force until December 31, 2022.

The Section 6 (1) (j) of the Passports Act reads: "A person shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both, if they obtain more than one passport either in the same or different names by concealing the fact of already being in possession of a passport."

A spokesperson for the ministry said that legal action would be taken against people who did not surrender their illegal identity cards and travelling documents. He said Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad could benefit from the scheme. The ministry has also directed the department concerned to publicise the amnesty scheme properly.