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Senate passes bill to allow ex-lawmakers to have blue passports with incomplete tenure

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The Senate on Monday approved a bill to allow former parliamentarians to retain their official blue passports even if they quit office before completing a full term.

But a separate bill to extend the facility to their dependant children under 28 was shelved amid protests from treasury members.

The change in the Passports Act, 1974, is applicable to former members of National Assembly and Senate who took oath of office but didn’t complete the full term.

The bill still needs to be approved by the National Assembly for it to become law.

Official blue passports are issued to certain constitutional office holders, government and judiciary officials, top bureaucrats and their qualifying family.

“They offer visa-free access to 55 countries, including 22 in Europe,” the research said.

Both proposals were sponsored by Senator Abdul Qadir. The measure as passed suggests to establish a new section 3-A in the Passports Act to the effect that an ex-parliamentarian may retain and use an official passport gratis after vacating the office, whether he served a full term or merely the remainder of the term of another member.

Currently, National Assembly members can get blue passports from the day they take their oath of office. Senators have to serve a full six-year term to qualify. The proposal is aimed at removing this inequality by permitting all former members of either House to maintain their official passports even if they quit office before completing a full term.

The proposed clause says that “a retired parliamentarian who has taken oath as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) or the Senate, whether for a full term or for the remainder of the term of another member, shall, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, be entitled to retain and use the gratis official (blue) passport issued to him or her after ceasing to hold office”.

The reform would apply to lawmakers who leave the NA before five years or the Senate before six years.

Under the current Passport Rules 2021, former lawmakers are entitled to blue passports if they have served a complete term in either of the two Houses.

The statement of purposes and reasons of the bill argues that the amendment “provides parity with the privileges available to other high ranking officials and ensures uniform treatment of persons who have served the state at the highest level”.

The Senate also shelved another bill to provide blue passports to retired lawmakers’ spouses and dependant children under 28 after treasury members opposed the measure.

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IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.

The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.

The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.

During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.

Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.

The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.

After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.

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PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.

The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.

During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.

In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.

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Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade

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A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.

The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.

Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.

The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.

“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.

The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.

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