Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Monday demanded cancellation of all blue passports issued on political basis and closing down of unnecessary passport offices opened by the former government.
He said this while informing the Senate’s Standing Committee on Interior. The body had sought details of blue passport-holders and new passport offices opened by the previous government.
The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood.
Rashid said that in the past blue passports were issued to girlfriends, friends and property dealers, adding that unnecessary offices were setup on political basis.
ANP Senator Shahi Syed asked the officials concerned that why MQM chief Altaf Hussain was not issued a passport. The officials said that no request had been made for this purpose.
MQM Senator Tahir Mashadi said the MQM chief was a Pakistani and a passport should be issued to him regardless of if he returns or not.
Passports and Immigration Acting Director General Muhammad Safdar informed the meeting that recommendation about accepting passport fee via ATMs was under consideration.