Govt Takes U-Turn on Issuing Blue Passports to Children of Ex-MNAs

The government has pledged to tighten the issuance and use of official blue passports following criticism of a recent law that would extend the facility to dependent children of former parliamentarians.

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said future applications for blue passports would require approval from the Interior Ministry and that the documents should be issued only for official duties and for a limited period.

He said the number of blue passports has already been reduced from around 70,000 to fewer than 50,000, with a further 15-20 percent reduction planned.

Chaudhry said every application would now be reviewed by the interior secretary and, where necessary, the interior minister before approval.

He also said the government wanted to reduce the number of blue passport holders, describing their large number as an obstacle to securing visa waiver agreements with other countries.

He said Pakistan was in advanced discussions with Saudi Arabia on visa exemptions for blue passport holders, while negotiations with Italy and several other countries were also underway.

Although the Senate committee approved the bill earlier this month, Chaudhry said its fate would ultimately be decided by the coalition government.

He maintained that the proposal conflicted with the government’s policy of limiting blue passport issuance.