ISLAMABAD: Despite the government’s opposition, the Upper House of the Parliament, Monday, passed the Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, an allegedly controversial legislative draft that allows the retired parliamentarians, senators in particular, to retain the gratis official (blue) passports for life.
Independent Senator Abdul Qadir moved the said bill in the Senate session.
Already passed by the Senate’s interior panel, the bill seeks to amend the Passports Act, 1974 with the insertion of a new section 3A.
This Section reads, “Retention and use of official passport by parliamentarians after cessation of office:- For the purposes of this Act, a retired parliamentarian who has taken oath as a member of the National Assembly or the Senate, whether for a full term or for the remainder of the term of another member, shall, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, be entitled to retain and use the gratis official (blue) passport issued to him or her after ceasing to hold office, notwithstanding that he or she has not completed the term of five years as a member of the National Assembly or the term of six years as a senator, as the case may be.”
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of this bill reads that the Passports Act, 1974 provides for the issuance and regulation of passports in Pakistan. “Currently, there is no explicit provision allowing parliamentarians, particularly members of the Senate, to retain official passports after ceasing to hold office if they have not served a full term,” it reads.
“The purpose of this amendment is to grant parliamentarians the right to retain and use the gratis official (blue) passport issued to them during their tenure, notwithstanding that they leave office before completing their term—This amendment brings parity with the privileges available to other high-ranking officials and ensures uniform treatment of persons who have served the state at the highest level,” the statement adds.
Before its passage, the bill saw a lengthy debate from different senators including the government functionaries.
State Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry opposed the bill, demanding its deferral. “We need to think about Pakistan’s safety and dignity,” he said, adding that certain Western countries expressed reservations over the issuance of official passports in huge numbers by Pakistan.
The Interior Ministry has cancelled 30,000 blue passports, reducing the number of blue passports from 75,000 to 45,000, he said, adding that none of the cancelled blue passports belonged to any parliamentarian.
Chaudhry said the law minister would soon move a bill in the Parliament to abolish the blue passports’ facility for the children of retired senior officers.
Law Minister Azam Tarar said that unlike NA lawmakers, senators have to complete the full length of their respective terms in order to be eligible to get blue passports.
However, he said, Qadir’s bill should be presented in the House only after the Interior Ministry’s input is considered. The number of blue passports needs to be regulated, Tarar said.
Abid Sher Ali from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) said he would move a privilege motion in the Senate against the requirement for the parliamentarians to get clearance from the Interior Ministry to obtain passports for their children.
“This is an insult to this House. Are we dacoits or thieves?” he said.
Chairing the Senate session, Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan allowed the mover to present the bill, which finally received the House’s nod.
Relatedly, Qadir withdrew another legislative draft; the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, that provides for the provision of blue passports for the family members of former parliamentarians.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas once again slammed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “You have committed a dacoity by snatching the public’s mandate in KP,” he addressed the treasury.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that the government is “still ready” to hold dialogue with the opposition, and that the committee formed in this regard is still existent.
The Senate session was adjourned till today (Tuesday).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026