ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry told the Senate on Monday that the issuance of blue passports could affect Pakistan’s global passport ranking and its efforts to secure visa-free travel arrangements with other countries.
Speaking in the Senate, he said the number had been reduced from about 75,000 to 45,000 and that none of the cancelled passports belonged to political representatives.
Talal Chaudhry said Pakistan had been seeking visa-free travel and other travel facilities with European, Gulf and other countries over the past 18 to 24 months. The number of blue passport holders also came under discussion during talks with Canada and other countries and could create difficulties, he added.
Opposing a proposal to extend blue passports to the children of former parliamentarians and senators, he said concerns over the existing entitlement should be reviewed instead of extending the facility to more people.
He said the matter should be considered in the national interest, as it concerned Pakistanis’ travel rights, the credibility of the national passport and the country’s standing internationally.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
