Pakistan minister proposes stricter blue passport rules after backlash

A proposed bill in Pakistan that would allow children of former parliamentarians to obtain blue passports has sparked significant criticism, prompting Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry to outline stricter controls. The bill, approved by a Senate panel on July 10, sought to extend the privilege of blue passports to dependent children under 28 of ex-Members of Parliament, placing them on par with retired Grade-22 government officers.

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measures would be taken to ensure that the travel document is used for “only official duties” abroad and issued for a limited time in most cases.

Chaudhry, however, has asserted that he opposed the bill during the committee proceedings, emphasizing the need for prior discussion with the federal cabinet and other stakeholders. He stated that despite his reservations, the bill was passed. Moving forward, he assured that stringent measures would be implemented, requiring interior ministry approval for each blue passport application. Cases will be routed through the interior secretary and potentially the interior minister.

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Despite my reservations, they proceeded to pass the bill.

The minister acknowledged that Pakistan's large number of blue passport holders hinders the signing of visa abolition agreements. He indicated that the number of blue passports has already been reduced from approximately 70,000 to under 50,000 and is expected to decrease by another 15-20 percent. Discussions for visa exemption agreements for blue passport holders are reportedly in advanced stages with Saudi Arabia, and negotiations are underway with countries like Italy.

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Each case will be referred to the interior secretary, and if need be, to the interior minister.

Chaudhry suggested that the fate of the bill rests with political parties and noted it contradicts the government's intention to reduce blue passport issuance. He proposed an alternative: amending the rules to remove the facility for retired bureaucrats if the goal is parity with former parliamentarians. The blue passport, he stated, is not intended as a privilege.

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Our focus is on having agreements for visa-free entry with as many countries as possible.