Lifetime Blue Passports for Senators Approved Amid Misuse Concerns Over Official Travel Documents
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: A parliamentary committee unanimously approved lifetime official Blue passport facility for sitting and retired senators, even as serious concerns were raised over the reported misuse of official passports and the extension of such privileges to family members. The Ministry of Interior told the committee it had no objection to granting lifetime Blue passports to senators but expressed reservations about extending the facility to children up to age 28 due to reported misuse.
The issue arose during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, where members considered a bill seeking to extend the official Blue passport facility to senators for life.
The most controversial part of the discussion centered on the possible misuse of official passports by family members. The Ministry of Interior informed the committee that while lifetime official passports for sitting and retired senators were not opposed, the proposal to extend the facility to children up to 28 years of age raised serious concerns because of reported misuse.
The committee also questioned the issuance of official Blue passports to children of senior civil servants. Members directed the Ministry of Interior to provide a detailed list of all active Blue passports issued, indicating that lawmakers want a clearer picture of who currently holds these official travel documents and under what authority.
The committee emphasized that strict action must be taken against any misuse of official passports. Members made it clear that the Blue passport facility should not become an unchecked privilege and that official travel documents must remain subject to proper scrutiny and accountability.
Despite these concerns, the committee unanimously approved the bill allowing sitting and retired senators to receive official Blue passports for lifetime. The decision is likely to generate public debate over official privileges, eligibility criteria and the need for transparency in issuing state linked travel documents.
The discussion has also brought renewed attention to the wider issue of official passport entitlements in Pakistan, specifically whether these facilities should be limited to office holders or extended to retired officials and family members. The committee’s demand for a full list of active Blue passports suggests the matter may face further scrutiny in upcoming proceedings.
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