The government has announced plans to tighten the issuance and use of Blue Passports following criticism over a recently approved bill. Officials say future applications will face stricter checks to ensure these passports are issued only for official purposes.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said all future applications for Blue Passports will require approval from the Ministry of Interior. The government also wants these passports to be issued only for official duties and for a limited period.
The announcement comes after concerns were raised about a bill that would extend the facility to dependent children of former members of parliament. The proposal has sparked debate over who should be eligible for official passports.
According to the minister, the government has already reduced the number of Blue Passports in circulation. The total has fallen from around 70,000 to fewer than 50,000.
He added that authorities plan to reduce the number even further. The government aims to cut the total by another 15 to 20 percent in the coming months.
Tallal Chaudhry said every application will now be reviewed carefully before approval. The interior secretary will examine each request, while the interior minister will also review applications when necessary.
The government believes tighter controls will improve the credibility of official passports. Officials say limiting their use is important to ensure they are reserved for genuine government responsibilities.
The minister also explained that the large number of official passport holders has affected Pakistan’s efforts to secure visa waiver agreements with other countries. Reducing the number of holders may help strengthen negotiations with foreign governments.
According to the Interior Ministry, Pakistan is currently holding advanced discussions with Saudi Arabia regarding visa exemptions for official passport holders. Similar talks are also taking place with Italy and several other countries.
The government hopes these negotiations will become easier if the number of official passport holders is brought under tighter control. Officials believe this approach will improve Pakistan’s international standing.
Earlier this month, a Senate committee approved the bill related to extending official passport eligibility. However, Tallal Chaudhry said the proposal has not yet become final.
He stated that the coalition government will make the final decision on whether the bill moves forward. He also maintained that expanding eligibility conflicts with the government’s current policy of limiting official passport issuance.
In other news read more about Blue Passports Among key Privileges Proposed For KP Lawmakers Under New Bill
Overall, the government is moving toward stricter oversight of Blue Passports by introducing stronger approval procedures and reducing the number of holders. Officials say these measures will support better passport management and improve Pakistan’s efforts to secure future visa facilitation agreements with other countries.
