The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has decided to abolish the provision granting lifetime blue passports to its members, according to sources. Key decisions regarding the Privileges Bill were made during a meeting of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privileges.
According to sources, the committee agreed that blue passports for members of the provincial assembly will now be issued only for the duration of their term in office instead of on a lifetime basis.
The meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Privileges was chaired by Deputy Speaker Soraya Bibi, who also serves as the chairperson of the committee.
During the meeting, a proposal to issue Assembly NADRA cards to members was discussed. The committee also considered ending the issuance of such cards to family members of lawmakers.
The committee further decided that amendments would be made to media-related provisions in the Members’ Privileges and Benefits Bill to make them more flexible. At the same time, it was decided to retain all privileges and expenses allocated to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Also Read: KP Government Withdraws Proposed Assembly Members’ Benefits and Blue Passport Amendments
Several members of the provincial assembly expressed serious reservations over the decision to abolish the lifetime blue passport provision.
According to sources, the amended draft of the Provincial Assembly Privileges Bill will soon be finalized and, after receiving cabinet approval, will be presented in the assembly once again.
Sources said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had asked Speaker Babar Saleem to review the Privileges Bill.
