Islamabad: (RightNow) Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry reveals that the majority of blue passports in the country are held by bureaucrats. This disclosure has garnered attention both nationally and internationally.

During a Senate Standing Committee on Interior meeting, Senator Abid Sher Ali shared his experience, stating he needed a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for his family’s passports. He mentioned that the passport office staff insisted on the NOC requirement.

Director General of Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa explained that the data of parliament members’ families is sent to the Ministry of Interior. This process aims to ensure transparency in passport issuance.

The Minister of State for Interior further stated that whenever visa-free policy discussions arise, other countries inquire about the number of blue passports. We inform them that there are 75 thousand blue passports.

It is noteworthy that blue passports are typically issued to government employees, who receive travel benefits. The Minister of State mentioned that the number of blue passports has been reduced by 30 thousand.