ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday called for ending the six-year service requirement for Senate members to obtain official passports, saying the rules should be the same for members of the Senate and the National Assembly. Speaking in the Senate on a bill moved by Senator Abdul Qadir regarding blue passports, he said National Assembly members became eligible for official passports after taking …
Azam Tarar calls for equal official passport rules for Senate, NA members
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday called for ending the six-year service requirement for Senate members to obtain official passports, saying the rules should be the same for members of the Senate and the National Assembly.
Speaking in the Senate on a bill moved by Senator Abdul Qadir regarding blue passports, he said National Assembly members became eligible for official passports after taking oath, while senators had to complete their six-year term.
He said a senator who resigned a few months before completing the term could lose eligibility, calling the difference unnecessary.
Former parliamentarians also took part in political and diplomatic activities and attended international events, including Inter-Parliamentary Union meetings, he added.
Tarar said there could be consensus among political parties on extending the official passport facility to dependent children of current and former parliamentarians up to the age of 28, but the number of eligible people should be properly regulated.
He said an official passport was issued to facilitate official duties, not as a personal privilege. The government would also review and address gaps in rules allowing children of retired grade 21 and 22 officers to obtain official passports up to the age of 28.
