🔥 Trending Senate Committee Approves Blue Passport Bill for Ex-Legislators' Children

The "blue passport bill" refers to a proposed legislative amendment in Pakistan, specifically titled the "Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Act, 2026" ¹⁴. This bill, which has been approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior as of July 2026, aims to expand the eligibility for official (blue) passports ¹³⁴.

What is the Blue Passport Bill?

The blue passport bill proposes to grant free official (blue) passports to former members of parliament (MPs), their spouses, and their dependent children ¹³⁵. The bill was moved by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir ¹⁴.

Key provisions and details of the bill include:

• Beneficiaries: Former members of the Senate and National Assembly (MNAs) ⁴.
• Family Members: Spouses of former MPs ¹⁵.
• Dependent Children: Dependent children under the age of 28 are also included in the provisions ⁵⁶⁸.
• Nature of Passport: The passports issued under this bill are "official (blue) passports," distinct from regular passports ¹⁷. They are to be provided free of charge ³⁵.

Who Does It Affect?

The blue passport bill primarily affects:

• Former Members of Parliament: This includes individuals who have previously served as senators or members of the National Assembly in Pakistan ¹³.
• Spouses of Former MPs: The bill extends the privilege to the spouses of these former lawmakers ¹⁵.
• Dependent Children of Former MPs: Dependent children up to the age of 28 will also be eligible for these official passports ⁵⁶⁸.

Significance of Official (Blue) Passports

Official blue passports offer certain privileges compared to regular passports. According to previous reporting, an official blue passport allows entry to approximately 70 countries without requiring a visa ⁷. This privilege is typically reserved for government officials and high-ranking individuals ⁷. By extending this facility to former parliamentarians and their families, the bill aims to provide them with similar travel advantages.

The approval of this bill by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior marks a significant step towards its potential enactment into law ¹³.