Islamabad, June 30, 2025: In a milestone achievement, Pakistan’s passport has broken into the top 100 of the Henley Passport Index 2025, reflecting improved global mobility for its citizens. According to the latest rankings by Henley & Partners, the Pakistani passport now stands at 100th place, up from 113th in 2021.
The new ranking grants Pakistani passport holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 32 countries, signaling modest yet notable progress in international recognition.
Director General of Immigration and Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi attributed the achievement to structural reforms and the support of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Interior Secretary. He highlighted the successful rollout of e-passports equipped with NFC chips that comply with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
To further modernize travel infrastructure, e-gates are set to be installed at major airports across Pakistan, enabling seamless immigration clearance for e-passport holders.
Qazi also announced that the passport backlog has been fully cleared, and improved facilities at passport offices are delivering quicker, more efficient service. For overseas Pakistanis, the introduction of online application portals and the “Passport Fee Asaan” mobile app now allows easy fee payment. A comprehensive passport application app is also under development to enable citizens to apply from home.
Despite these advancements, some challenges remain. In January 2025, Pakistan ranked 103rd, below territories like the occupied Palestinian territory, which stood at 100th. Moreover, while Pakistani passport holders had visa-free access to 34 countries in 2024, that number dropped to 33 in 2025.
Experts say various factors have hindered the passport’s upward trajectory. In 2023, Saudi authorities seized 12,000 Pakistani passports allegedly used by Afghan nationals with fake identities. Allegations of Pakistani officials issuing fraudulent citizenship documents, particularly to illegal immigrants, have also damaged international trust.
Adding to these concerns, political instability and security incidents—including the cancellation of 23 passports linked to suspects in an attack on a former Chief Justice in London—have further affected the global standing of the document.
Still, DG Qazi remains optimistic: “With continued reforms and strong leadership from the Ministry of Interior, we hope to see further improvement in the global perception and strength of the Pakistani passport.”
