The distribution of blue passports in Pakistan has come under scrutiny after the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior demanded a detailed breakdown of the 49,000 blue passports currently in circulation.
The committee wants to know how many blue passports have been issued to parliamentarians and how many are held by government bureaucrats. The demand has sparked a wider debate about eligibility, privileges, and the use of official passports by public officeholders and their families.
Blue Passports Reduced from 75,000 to 49,000
During the committee meeting, the Director General of Passports explained that the number of blue passports had been reduced from 75,000 to 49,000.
According to the explanation, the reduction was intended to help Pakistan secure visa-free arrangements and maintain special passport categories with different countries.
However, committee members have raised questions about who currently holds these passports and whether the distribution follows appropriate rules.
Senate Committee Approves Bill for Former Assembly Members
Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has approved a bill that would allow former members of assemblies to retain their blue passports.
The proposal has added another dimension to the ongoing discussion about official passport privileges after leaving public office.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry requested time to find a possible solution to the issue and address the concerns raised during the discussion.
Pakistan to Stop Issuing Machine Readable Passports from October 15, 2026
Senators Raise Questions Over Passport Privileges
Senator Naseer Butt called for the cancellation of blue passports issued to retired government officials, secretaries, and judges, raising questions about whether such privileges should continue after retirement.
Senator Abdul Qadir also questioned the eligibility rules for family members of public officials. He asked why the children of parliamentarians should not receive similar facilities when the children of Grade 22 government officers are reportedly eligible.
These remarks have intensified the debate over equal treatment and the rules governing official travel documents.
Demand for Transparency in Blue Passport Distribution
The National Assembly committee’s demand for a detailed breakdown highlights the need for greater transparency in the distribution of blue passports.
The discussion is now focused on eligibility criteria, the privileges available to serving and former officials, and whether existing rules should be revised.
The detailed figures requested by the committee are expected to provide a clearer picture of how Pakistan’s 49,000 blue passports are distributed among parliamentarians and bureaucrats.
