Senate blocks move to withdraw diplomatic passport privilege from advisers, state ministers

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ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Monday blocked a private member’s bill seeking to withdraw the free-for-all issuance of diplomatic passports to ministers of state, advisers, special assistants and senior bureaucrats and rejected the motion for introduction of the Passports (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill was moved by PTI Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, along with senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri and Saifullah Abro. Declaring his opposition to the bill, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said, “You are bringing an amendment to the authority of the cabinet which you have not seen.” To this, Senator Faisal responded that the bill was about diplomatic passports, which only ministers should have. “There should be no distribution in the issuance of diplomatic passports,“ he observed. PPP Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro argued that a minister of state is also a representative of the Parliament. According to the copy of the bill available with Dawn, it sought to amend the Passports Act 1974 by inserting a new Section 12A for restriction on diplomatic passport entitlement of ministers of state, advisers, special assistants, federal secretaries and director generals. It provided that no diplomatic passport shall be issued, re-issued or renewed to a minister of state, adviser to the prime minister, special assistant to the prime minister, federal secretaries other than the foreign secretary, or director general, by virtue of holding such office, and any such passport already held shall be surrendered to the prescribed authority within 30 days of commencement of the Act. The proposed bill clarified that nothing shall prevent such persons from obtaining or retaining an ordinary or official passport where otherwise entitled, and nothing shall affect any independent entitlement arising by virtue of any other office, appointment or diplomatic assignment which lawfully carries such entitlement. The bill’s statement of objects and reasons noted that the Passports Rules 2021 provide for the issuance of diplomatic passports to various categories of public office holders, including state ministers and functionaries having the status of minister of state. “A diplomatic passport is a special travel document of the state, and its issuance should primarily correspond to the nature and requirements of diplomatic or state functions rather than operate automatically as a privilege attached to rank or status,” the bill read. It said the proposed amendment would not restrict official duties or official foreign travel, as a person may continue to obtain an ordinary or official passport where otherwise entitled. The bill sought only to provide that holding, or having previously held, the office or status of minister of state, adviser, special assistant, federal secretary other than foreign secretary, or director general shall not, by itself, constitute an entitlement to a diplomatic passport. It argued that the proposed amendment was intended to ensure a clear and reasonable distinction between diplomatic functions and political status and to promote a transparent and purpose-based system for issuance of diplomatic passports. Heated exchange among allies triggers PPP walkout The Upper House also witnessed an exchange of hot words between PML-N’s Nasir Butt and PPP’s Sherry Rehman during the passage of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026. The bill, moved by Senator Zehri of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), was passed despite the PML-N-led government’s opposition. Butt asked who the PPP was supporting, with PPP senators walking out after the episode. The consumer protection bill secured 10 votes in favour and four against, after a vote was allowed for the second time. Chaudhry opposed the bill, while Zehri criticised the government for opposing the legislation, saying it neither worked itself nor allowed others to work. The House also unanimously passed a bill to amend the law banning plastic book covers in the federal capital to remove an exemption clause that allowed its misuse. The bill, moved by PPP’s Senator Rehman, sought to amend the Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibition of Plastic Book Covers) Act 2026. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the principal Act was enacted with the object of regulating and prohibiting the use of plastic book covers within ICT. “During the examination of the provisions of the said Act, it has been considered necessary to review the exceptions and other provisions contained in section 3, particularly clause (a) of sub-section (2) thereof,” it read, adding that the continued retention of the said clause may result in an exception which is inconsistent with the intended purpose of the Act. Speaking on the occasion, Senator Rehman said plastic covers were still being used on books in some big shops in Islamabad. She said a meeting with the Ministry of Interior had also been held on the issue. “During checking, shopkeepers declare every plastic as biodegradable,” she said, adding that according to the interior ministry, there is no laboratory or scale available in the country to check biodegradable plastic. The former climate minister highlighted that the purpose of the amendment was to remove legal ambiguity regarding plastic book covers. “Under the amendment, there will be a complete ban on all types of plastic in Islamabad,” she said, adding that no one would have an exemption for the use of plastic. The Senate also approved an amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), while deferring the Islamabad Metro Bus Service Bill, 2026. PTI voices concerns over re-description of KP constituencies Meanwhile, PTI parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, raised serious concerns over the “description” of several national and provincial assembly constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deploring that the revisions were made without hearing public objections. Senator Zafar stated that constituencies determine the representation of people in Parliament and that any changes affecting them must be made strictly in accordance with the law, through a transparent process and with full public scrutiny. “The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot treat the law as optional,” he said, adding that Section 22 of the Elections Act 2017 lays down legal requirements relating to changes in constituencies. “If the prescribed procedure has not been followed, the legality of the entire exercise is called into question.” He demanded clear answers from the ECP, asking why these changes were made without a transparent public process and who would be held responsible if the law had been violated. Senator Zafar also expressed concern over the continued delay in appointing a successor to the chief election commissioner, whose five-year term expired on Jan 26, 2025. While Article 215 provides for continuation in office until a successor takes over, he said this provision must not become an excuse for indefinite delay in making an important constitutional appointment. “The government must explain why the matter remains unresolved.” “An ECP that commands public confidence must be above suspicion. It must not only act fairly; it must demonstrate fairness,” Senator Zafar said. “Electoral decisions must not create the impression that political interests are being served at the expense of the law.” The PTI senator called upon the government to take notice of the matter and ensure compliance with the law. He further demanded that the ECP provide a clear legal justification for its actions and that any failure to follow the prescribed procedure be addressed. “Elections are the foundation of democracy. If the process is not transparent, public confidence in the electoral system will be undermined. The law must be respected, the people must be heard, and no institution, however powerful, is above the Constitution,” he remarked. Responding to the concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the matter was being discussed on the basis of a newspaper report and asked members to share any official notification. He said he would seek further information from the ECP. Resolution on occupied Kashmir unanimously adopted The House also witnessed a show of unity as it unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the right to self-determination of the people of India-occupied Kashmir (IoK) on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day to be observed tomorrow (Oct 27). The resolution was moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam. The resolution declared that the entry of Indian forces into occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Oct 27, 1947, followed by the unlawful and forcible occupation of the territory and the situation that ensued, marked a significant turning point in the history of the Kashmir dispute. It paid tribute to the people of occupied Kashmir for their continued struggle and sacrifices in pursuit of their right to self-determination. It emphasised the importance of a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and of ensuring the right of Kashmiri people to determine their own future. The resolution reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled position that a just and lasting settlement of the dispute is not possible without respecting the aspirations of Kashmiris and their right to self-determination, for which it called upon the UN to play an effective role through its relevant resolutions. The resolution also urged the international community to take due cognisance of human rights violations in IoK and to play an effective role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people. It called upon the government of Pakistan to continue extending political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of IoK and to intensify its efforts to highlight the Kashmir dispute at the international level. The House reaffirmed its unwavering resolve and commitment that the Senate of Pakistan shall continue its support to the legitimate struggle of the IIOJK people and to uphold their right to self-determination.

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