BY: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior was held on September 7 under the chairmanship of Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, where members discussed the final report of a subcommittee, private members’ bills, blue passports for serving and former senators, and other matters.
Senator Saifullah Abro presented the subcommittee’s report, alleging that the FBR had failed to fully cooperate over issues involving tax evasion and imports, while the FIA and Customs had provided assistance. Chairman Faisal Saleem Rehman said law-enforcement institutions were responsible for preventing tax evasion and should not be made controversial.
Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry said the Finance Ministry should find a permanent solution and suggested that the subcommittee’s report be forwarded to the ministry.
The committee unanimously passed the Islamabad Consumers Protection Amendment Bill, 2026 and the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2026, moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. The Anti-Rape Investigation and Trial Amendment Bill, 2026, moved by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, and another Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2026, moved by Senator Shahadat Awan, were also passed by majority votes. Heated exchanges took place between Talal Chaudhry and several senators over the bills.
The committee also received a briefing from DIG Hazara on the murder of Ayat Noor in Haripur. Officials said the case was reported on August 10, registered on August 12, and the accused was arrested on August 21 after CCTV footage from 202 rooms was reviewed. Other accused have also been traced, while the challan has not yet been submitted.
Regarding blue passports, officials said current parliamentarians are issued passports valid for five years, while cases of former senators are forwarded to the Ministry. Senator Talal Chaudhry said the government had reduced the number of blue passports and improved the approval process.
Senators questioned the issuance and cancellation procedures and demanded details of passports issued to parliamentarians and cases of alleged misuse. The meeting also discussed the murder case of Mansehra businessman Syed Aamir Shahzad Shah, with members differing over whether it should also be taken up by the Senate Human Rights Committee.
