Pakistan Passport Ranks 98th, Govt Defends Progress
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: Pakistan’s passport ranking sparked debate in the National Assembly on Thursday after the government confirmed that the country stands 98th on the Henley Passport Index 2026, while defending what it described as a gradual improvement in global mobility.
Responding during a question-hour session, Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi told lawmakers that Pakistan had climbed from 103rd to 98th position, rejecting reports that the country was tied with Somalia.
The issue was raised by Sehar Kamran, who sought clarification over Pakistan’s low standing in global passport rankings and asked what measures were being taken to enhance visa-free access, improve international perception and strengthen diplomatic engagement.
The minister said the Henley Passport Index evaluates countries on multiple factors, including visa-free access, political stability, security environment, diplomatic relations, taxation frameworks and dual nationality arrangements. Weaknesses in any of these areas, he noted, can impact overall rankings.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistans-cpi-2025-score-exposes-accountability-deficit/
To improve performance, the government has accelerated reforms under the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports. Authorities are rolling out advanced e-passports featuring polycarbonate data pages and embedded biometric microchips, aligning travel documents with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The transition from traditional machine-readable passports to chip-based e-passports will enable the use of automated e-gates at airports and strengthen document security through laser engraving, enhanced lamination and redesigned visa pages bearing national landmarks.
The Assembly was informed that Pakistani passport holders currently receive visa-free or visa-on-arrival access in 32 countries, while visa abolition agreements for diplomatic and official passport holders exist with 50 countries. Pakistan also maintains dual nationality arrangements with 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia and France.
In addition, the ministry has introduced a digital monitoring dashboard — Secure Hybrid Intelligence for Knowledge Based Response Analytics — to oversee passport printing and delivery in real time. Cybersecurity audits have also been conducted to safeguard biometric and personal data.
Despite the reported improvement, analysts note that Pakistan’s visa-free score of 31 keeps it among the lower-ranked passports globally. Observers argue that broader geopolitical factors, security perceptions and diplomatic leverage continue to shape international mobility beyond technical upgrades.
The government, however, maintains that structural reforms and expanded bilateral agreements will gradually improve the passport’s standing and facilitate greater global access for Pakistani citizens.
