Pakistan’s Senate has passed a bill seeking to allow former members of parliament to retain official blue passports even if they served only part of a term in the National Assembly or Senate.
The Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by independent Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, was approved on October 19. It has not yet become law and must complete the remaining legislative process, including consideration by the National Assembly.
What the bill proposes
The amendment seeks to insert Section 3A into the Passports Act, 1974. Under the reported proposed wording, a former parliamentarian who took the oath as a member of either house would be entitled to retain and use an official blue passport after leaving office, subject to prescribed terms and conditions.
The proposed entitlement would not require completion of a full parliamentary term. It could therefore cover a member elected in a by-election who served only the remaining portion of a term, or a lawmaker who left office before a normal term ended.
The Senate’s official legislative register identifies the bill, its sponsor and the proposed insertion of Section 3A. The final authenticated text passed on October 19 was not independently obtained for this article.
Debate over eligibility
Supporters argued that parliamentary service should be recognised without requiring a former member to complete an entire term. The debate also addressed differences in passport eligibility affecting members of the two houses.
Government representatives raised concerns about the number of official passports in circulation and the need to regulate their issuance. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said approximately 30,000 unnecessary or inactive blue passports had been cancelled, reducing the number in circulation from around 75,000 to 45,000.
The discussion brought together two questions: how former parliamentarians should be treated and how widely the privilege of holding an official passport should extend.
Separate proposal concerning dependants
A separate proposal to extend official passport eligibility to dependent children under 28 of former parliamentarians did not pass. Reporting of the proceedings describes that measure as rejected or withdrawn following objections.
The amendment approved by the Senate concerns former lawmakers’ own eligibility to retain and use official passports.
What an official passport means
Pakistan’s official blue passport is distinct from the ordinary green passport issued to most citizens. Its use is governed by eligibility rules and conditions applicable to official travel documents.
Holding an official passport does not automatically confer diplomatic immunity or guarantee entry to another country. Entry requirements depend on the destination and relevant travel arrangements.
The Senate vote advances a proposed change in passport eligibility, but existing law remains in force unless the amendment completes the legislative process and is enacted.
Sources: Senate of Pakistan — bills register; Dawn — Senate passage; Pakistan Today — amendment and debate.