Senate passes bill allowing former lawmakers to keep blue passports
The Pakistani Senate approved a bill in Islamabad on Monday that permits retired parliamentarians to retain official blue passports even if they did not serve a full term.
Amendment adds new section to act
Independent Senator Abdul Qadir moved the legislation which inserts Section 3-A into the Passports Act, 1974. The new provision states that retired members who took an oath are entitled to use their passports after leaving office. This rule applies regardless of whether they completed five years as a National Assembly member or six years as a senator.
House withdraws dependent children proposal
In the same session, the lower House withdrew a separate bill regarding blue passports for dependent children under 28. The government opposed the main amendment but the Upper House passed it anyway. Official passports currently grant visa-free entry to 55 countries including 22 in Europe.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Dawn
- Business Recorder
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.