ISLAMABAD: In response to public concerns over a proposed bill allowing blue passport issuance to former parliamentarians’ dependents, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry has outlined enhanced safeguards to restrict the documents’ use to official diplomatic purposes only, with issuance limited to specific durations.
The bill, which would extend blue passport privileges to dependent children under 28 of former Members of Parliament, faced scrutiny after approval by a Senate committee on July 10. The proposed legislation, part of the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2026, seeks to align former MPs with retired Grade-22 government officials, whose dependents currently qualify for the same benefits.
A Senate Secretariat press statement initially indicated Chaudhry’s support for the bill, but he later clarified he had opposed its passage, citing concerns it should have undergone federal cabinet consultation. Speaking to Dawn, Chaudhry emphasized that all future applications will now require interior ministry clearance, with decisions escalated to senior officials if necessary.
The minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s 70,000-strong blue passport cohort hampers progress on visa abolition agreements, stressing the government’s priority to expand visa-free access through bilateral negotiations. Recent reductions brought the count below 50,000, with further trimming of 15-20% anticipated.
While the legislation awaits political party endorsements, Chaudhry noted its contradiction to passport reduction goals, suggesting alternative reforms to equalize benefits with retired bureaucrats instead. PTI Senate leader Barrister Ali Zafar condemned extending passports beyond essential official functions, emphasizing diplomatic purposes should not foster “lifelong entitlement” for public figures.
Eligibility Criteria for Official Blue Passports
Blue passports are granted to constitutional officeholders, senior government officials, and their dependents, facilitating visa-free travel to 55 nations, including 22 European states. A 2023 notification expanded eligibility to include all BPS-22 civil servants, armed forces equivalents, parliamentary members, high court judges, and other key state functionaries, alongside their spouses and children up to age 28.
Global Visa-Free Access Benefits
Blue passport holders receive exemptions in 55 countries, spanning 22 European nations (including 14 Schengen states), Russia, China, Gulf Cooperation Council members, South Korea, Brazil, and others. These agreements aim to strengthen diplomatic ties and ease official travel, with provisions for limited stays and specific engagement types as outlined in bilateral notifications.
