What Is a Diplomatic Passport in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, a diplomatic passport is a special travel document issued to designated state officials and representatives under Schedule-IV. It is granted strictly on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and processed through designated headquarters including the Model Centre and the Diplomatic & Official Centre in Islamabad.
A diplomatic passport holder is not permitted to retain any other type of passport simultaneously. Additionally, holders cannot change the type of passport while abroad and must surrender the diplomatic passport to the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under proper receipt if required.
Who Is Eligible for a Diplomatic Passport?
The grant of diplomatic passports is strictly confined to specific high-ranking office holders in Pakistan. These include:
The President of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan
Chairman of the Senate
Speaker of the National Assembly
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Governors and Chief Ministers of the provinces
Federal Ministers and Ministers of State
Attorney General for Pakistan
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Chief of Army Staff
Chief of Naval Staff
Chief of Air Staff
Special Assistants to the Prime Minister
Federal government officials with the status of Minister or Minister of State
Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
Former Presidents, former Prime Ministers, and former parliamentary heads are also eligible under specified conditions.
Eligibility for Government Officers and Foreign Service Officials
Officers in BPS-17 and above belonging to the Pakistan Foreign Service are entitled to diplomatic passports for the duration of their service. Similarly, other government officers and armed forces personnel of equivalent rank proceeding abroad on diplomatic assignments with diplomatic status may also receive the passport for the duration of their posting or short-term international assignments.
However, the passport must be surrendered within 30 days after the holder ceases to occupy the prescribed office, except for top constitutional positions such as the President, Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, and Speaker National Assembly.
Pakistani Representatives in International Organisations
Pakistani nationals holding key offices in international organisations are also eligible for diplomatic passports. These include:
President of the UN General Assembly
Heads of UN specialised agencies such as World Health Organization, International Labour Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization
Executive heads of UN-affiliated organisations like the World Trade Organization and United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Directors representing Pakistan in the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Asian Development Bank
Secretary Generals of Economic Cooperation Organization, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
Executive Director of the Islamic Development Bank
These individuals may hold diplomatic passports only for the duration of their tenure in such roles.
Diplomatic Passport Rules for Spouses
Spouses of diplomatic passport holders are also entitled to receive diplomatic passports, which remain valid as long as the principal holder retains the designated office.
The Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the authority to impound, confiscate or cancel a diplomatic passport and may forward a request to the Directorate General for its inactivation.
After surrendering a diplomatic passport to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the holder may be issued an ordinary gratis passport valid for five years.