Senate approves blue passport proposal for Parliamentarians’ children, sparks debate over special privileges

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control has approved a proposal to allow blue passports for dependent children of members of Parliament under the age of 28, a move that could expand official passport privileges for lawmakers’ families. The proposal moved forward for further approval, with the government saying the matter will be presented before the cabinet for final consideration.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman at Parliament House, Islamabad. The committee reviewed various issues related to governance, public safety, legislation and government policies.

The Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced by Senator Abdul Qadir and seeks to provide blue passports to dependent children of parliamentarians below the age of 28.

Supporters of the proposal argued that the facility would bring parliamentarians’ dependent children in line with the existing entitlement available to dependent children of Grade 22 government officers.

The committee approved the bill unanimously and decided to send it forward for the next stage of the legislative process. Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Talal Chaudhry also supported the proposal and said recommendations would be presented before the cabinet so that the competent authority could make the final decision.

During discussions, members also examined the wider impact of passport policies and their effect on Pakistan’s international passport ranking. Lawmakers said passport related decisions should be considered carefully because they influence the country’s image around the world.

The proposal’s approval comes amid broader discussions about government privileges and equal treatment. The committee has also recently discussed concerns regarding the use of official resources, including the allocation of security personnel and the need for better oversight of government facilities.

The blue passport is an official travel document issued for certain government officials and entitled persons. Supporters of the amendment say extending the facility to eligible dependents would create equality with similar government categories, while discussions around such privileges often focus on maintaining balance between official requirements and public expectations.