Information Minister 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. 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.
Information Minister 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.
The committee has summoned a list of those individuals holding diplomatic passports within one week.
