Extending validity period of passport to 10 years from the currently five years and passport processing under private sector are also under consideration.

The regular weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair yesterday thoroughly discussed the matters regarding issuance and renewal of passport and directed the home ministry to place a complete proposal before the council.

The meeting also asked the authorities concerned to examine whether the passport validity period could be extended to 10 years from five years and whether the responsibility of issuance, addition and renewal of passport could be given to any established bank, private organisation or association.

The council also gave a directive to ensure delivery of urgent passport in due time.

"Presently, nearly one lakh passports are being issued and renewed per month from 15 offices in the country and from 57 missions abroad," the meeting was informed, according to an official release.

Advisers to the caretaker government attended the meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office. The cabinet secretary, the press secretary to the chief adviser and other secretaries concerned were also present.