Senate Blocks Bill to Withdraw Diplomatic Passports

Notably, 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.

Key points

• The Upper House additionally passed the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 despite the government's opposition, securing 10 votes in favour and four against.
• Opposing the bill, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry remarked the amendment targeted the authority of the cabinet.
• He demanded clear answers from the Election Commission of Pakistan and additionally expressed concern over the delay in appointing a successor to the chief election commissioner.
• It provided that no diplomatic passport shall be issued, re-issued or renewed to such office-holders by virtue of holding office, with any already-held passport surrendered within 30 days.
• The House unanimously passed a bill to amend the law banning plastic book covers in the federal capital, removing an exemption clause that allowed its misuse.

For context, the bill was moved by PTI Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, along with senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri and Saifullah Abro.

Opposing the bill, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry remarked the amendment targeted the authority of the cabinet. Senator Faisal responded that the bill was regarding diplomatic passports. It only ministers should have, observing that there should be no distribution in the issuance of diplomatic passports. Pakistan Embassy in Bangkok Announces New E-Passport Fees.

For context, the bill sought to amend the Passports Act 1974 by inserting a new Section 12A restricting 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 such office-holders by virtue of holding office, with any already-held passport surrendered within 30 days.

According to The bill's statement of objects and reasons, a diplomatic passport is a special travel document whose issuance should correspond to the nature and requirements of diplomatic or state functions rather than operating automatically as a privilege attached to rank or status.

Notably, the Upper House additionally passed the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026 despite the government's opposition, securing 10 votes in favour and four against. The bill, moved by Senator Zehri, was followed by a heated exchange between PML-N's Nasir Butt and PPP's Sherry Rehman, leading to a PPP walkout.

For context, the House unanimously passed a bill to amend the law banning plastic book covers in the federal capital, removing an exemption clause that allowed its misuse. Obtain Pakistani E-Passport in UAE for Just Rs. 11, 000.

PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Syed Ali Zafar triggered concern over the re-description of a number of national and provincial assembly constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deploring that the revisions were produced without hearing public objections. He demanded clear answers from the Election Commission of Pakistan and additionally expressed concern over the delay in appointing a successor to the chief election commissioner.

In practice, the House additionally unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming Pakistan's backing for the right to self-determination of the individuals of India-occupied Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Black Day, observed on October 27. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

For now, senate Blocks Bill to Withdraw Diplomatic Passports remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.