A Pakistani Senate panel approved a bill on Friday that would allow children of former legislators to obtain blue passports [1].

The move is seen as a significant expansion of state privileges for the political class. Critics said that extending these benefits to the families of ex-lawmakers creates an unfair advantage and ignores the needs of the general public.

Under the proposed legislation, children of former legislators who are under 28 years old [1] would be eligible for the official travel document. This change aims to bring the benefits for ex-legislators in line with those currently available to the dependent children of retired Grade-22 government officers [1].

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from journalists, experts, and social media users. Many said the move is an attempt to institutionalize privilege for a small elite. The blue passport typically grants holders easier travel procedures and official recognition during international transit.

State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry distanced himself from the proposal. Chaudhry said he did not support the bill and opposed it when it was introduced [1].

Despite the opposition, the bill's approval by the Senate panel marks a step toward formalizing these perks. The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Pakistan regarding the disparity between the ruling class and the average citizen, a divide often exacerbated by the granting of official perks to political families.

“Children of former legislators who are under 28 years old would be eligible for the official travel document.”

This legislative move reflects a broader trend of 'perk expansion' within Pakistan's political system. By equating the children of former lawmakers with the children of the highest-ranking civil servants (Grade-22), the government is effectively elevating the status of political families to the top tier of the state bureaucracy, potentially cementing a hereditary class of privileged citizens regardless of their own professional or governmental roles.