Senate approves bill seeking blue passports for ex-lawmakers with incomplete term

The Senate in Pakistan recently approved a bill that would allow former lawmakers to obtain blue passports, even if they did not serve a full term in the National Assembly or Senate. Blue passports grant visa-free entry to 55 countries, including 22 European nations. The bill was introduced by Senator Abdul Qadir and passed by the Senate, but has yet to be approved by the National Assembly.

Previously, blue passports were only granted to individuals who served for at least one term in either the National Assembly or Senate. However, the new amendment aims to bring parity with the privileges of other high-ranking officials and ensure uniform treatment for those who have served the state at the highest level. The Senate bill also seeks to allow the issuance of blue passports to the spouse of an ex-member and dependent children under the age of 28.

Opposition from treasury members in the Senate led to the withdrawal of a bill that would have amended Section 12 of the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1974 to provide gratis official passports for the dependent children of ex-members. The bill faced backlash from the government and was criticized for potentially extending the facility to the family members of retired officials, leading to concerns about visa-free access to other countries.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized the importance of regulating blue passports, stating that they should be used only for official business and not for personal travel. He also called for an end to the six-year service requirement for Senate members to obtain official passports, suggesting that the rules should be the same for both Senate and National Assembly members.