ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid has revealed that in the past blue passports were issued to girlfriends, friends and property dealers.
Rashid revealed this during the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior which was chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood.
The committee summoned a list of those individuals holding diplomatic passports within one week. It was revealed in the meeting that in past 902 passports were issued to foreigners. These people have been black listed.
It was also revealed that Peshawar High Court had declared 7726 people holding Pakistani passports as foreigners. These people have also been black listed.
The meeting also showed annoyance over the absence of interior minister and state minister for interior and other high officials of the ministry in the meeting.
Pervaiz Rashid revealed that in the past unnecessary offices were formed on political basis and a list of these should be presented before the committee.
He said that in the past tenure the passport offices were set up on the political basis, adding that the committee should review the matter. Senator Talha Mehmood said that the committee will not ignore this matter.
During the meeting, Senator Shahi Syed from the ANP asked why a passport had not been issued to MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
In reply officials from the passport office said that a request had not been made.
MQM Senator Tahir Mashadi said Altaf Hussain was a Pakistan citizen and a passport should be issued to him regardless of if he returns or not.
Senate Standing Committee on Interior has sought details of blue passport holders and new passport offices opened during the previous government’s tenure.
Acting Director General Passports and Immigration Muhammad Safdar informed the meeting that recommendation about acceptance passport fee through ATMs is under consideration.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid demanded cancellation of all blue passports issued on political basis and closing down of unnecessary passport offices opened on political basis during the last government’s tenure.
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