A Senate panel on Friday unanimously approved a bill seeking to allow official blue passports for former members of parliament, their spouses, and dependent children under the age of 28.
The proposed legislation seeks to extend a privilege already available to retired federal secretaries (BPS-22) and their families, with the bill now set to be presented before the Senate for debate and final voting.
The Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced as a private member’s bill by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir and approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control.
Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Talal Chaudhry supported the move, noting that recommendations would be forwarded to the cabinet for finalisation. However, he voiced concerns that extending the privilege to dependents aged 28 could lead to potential misuse.
During the session, members deliberated on the policy’s potential impact on the country’s international passport ranking before granting unanimous approval.
The development follows a series of recent legislative controversies, including the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, and the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, 2026.
