A bill seeking to extend eligibility for official blue passports to the children of senators up to the age of 28 was introduced in the Senate of Pakistan on Monday, triggering debate over privileges for lawmakers amid rising inflation and fuel prices.
The proposed amendment to the Passports Act 1974 was tabled by Senator Abdul Qadir during a private members’ day session.
The bill proposes granting official passports to children of senators under conditions similar to those already available to senior bureaucrats, including grade-22 officers.
Senator Abdul Qadir argued that the move would not create any additional financial burden on the government.
He also highlighted that senators serving less than a full six-year term are currently not entitled to blue passports due to what he described as a flaw in Senate rules.
However, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry opposed the proposal on behalf of the Interior Ministry, stating that current passport laws do not permit the issuance of official passports to children of parliamentarians.
Following debate in the House, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani referred the bill to the relevant committee after a majority of senators voted in favor of further deliberation.
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers strongly criticized the government over the latest increase in petroleum prices and electricity costs, calling the move a “petrol bomb” on the public.
PTI Senate Parliamentary Leader Syed Ali Zafar termed the fuel price hike “economic oppression” and accused the government of imposing excessive petroleum levies beyond limits agreed with the IMF.
He claimed the ruling elite remained disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens and criticized the Punjab government for purchasing a luxury aircraft during a period of severe inflation and rising fuel prices.
Syed Ali Zafar also argued that despite a decline in international crude oil prices, petrol prices in Pakistan remained significantly higher than in regional countries such as India and Bangladesh.
MQM Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti warned that Pakistan had some of the highest energy costs and lowest export competitiveness in the region.
He stressed that reducing taxes was essential for boosting economic activity and helping the country move beyond dependence on the IMF program.