Islamabad
In a boost for Pakistani travelers, the country’s passport has surged into the world’s top 100 rankings in the prestigious Henley Passport Index 2025, announced Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday. The milestone reflects a remarkable 13-spot improvement from the previous year, positioning Pakistan at 100th globally and granting visa-free or visa-on-arrarrival access to 32 destinations. Speaking in the National Assembly, Naqvi attributed the progress to the government’s proactive diplomacy and modernization efforts. “This achievement underscores our commitment to enhancing travel freedom for Pakistanis,” he said, highlighting recent visa waiver agreements with over 50 countries for diplomatic passports. The minister noted a 20-step leap in overall mobility scores, crediting the rollout of e-passports with NFC chips compliant with ICAO standards. Director General of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, echoed the sentiment, praising the clearance of nationwide backlogs and digital upgrades like the “Passport Fee Asaan” app for overseas Pakistanis. Despite the gains, challenges persist, with Singapore topping the index at 195 destinations and Afghanistan languishing at last with 28. Experts view this as a step toward greater economic integration, though some reports cite varying rankings around 96th-103rd due to ongoing updates. The government vows continued bilateral pacts to climb higher.