Government and Opposition Senators Unite Over Blue Passport Bill for Parliamentarians and Families

2 weeks ago

ISLAMABAD: Government and opposition members in the Senate appeared united over a proposed bill seeking to extend blue passport facilities to parliamentarians and their families.
During the Senate session, Senator Abdul Qadir presented the Passport Act Amendment Bill 2026, proposing official blue passports for former members of parliament and their eligible family members.
The senator also introduced another amendment bill related to the salaries and allowances of parliamentarians. The proposed amendment seeks changes to sub-section (4) of Section 12 of the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1974, with immediate implementation after approval.
According to the statement of objects and reasons attached to the passport amendment bill, retired Grade-22 federal secretaries, along with their spouses and dependent children, are currently entitled to free official blue passports, while former parliamentarians are not provided the same facility.
The bill argues that individuals who have served the state at the highest levels should be treated equally in terms of privileges and benefits, therefore former lawmakers should also be granted official passports.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry expressed reservations over the proposal, stating that misuse of official passports affects the country’s international passport ranking. He added that rules regarding blue passports for parliamentarians’ children are already clearly defined.
As the debate continued, the Chairman Senate observed growing support for the bill among members of the house and reportedly told the minister that the government could lose if the matter was put to a vote. The bill was subsequently referred to the relevant standing committee for further review.
Separately, the Senate also approved the Mandatory Thalassemia Screening Bill for Islamabad and the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Amendment Bill, both previously passed by the National Assembly.