Pakistan’s Passport Strength Remains Low in Latest Global Rankings
Pakistan Passport strength has once again remained low in the latest global passport rankings, placing the country among the weakest passports in the world. According to the most recent international passport index, Pakistan is ranked 91st globally, tied with Somalia, with an overall score of 33.5.
The ranking highlights the continued travel difficulties faced by Pakistani citizens and reflects broader issues related to international mobility, global perception, and personal freedom. Despite minor improvements in some areas, Pakistan’s passport continues to lag behind most countries in the region and worldwide.
How the Global Passport Index Works
Unlike traditional passport rankings that focus only on visa-free travel, this international index uses a more comprehensive method to assess passport strength. The ranking is based on several key factors, including:
- Visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel access
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA) availability
- Taxation policies
- Global perception and international scrutiny
- Dual citizenship rules
- Personal freedom and civil liberties
Visa and travel access make up 50 percent of the total score, while the remaining half is calculated using non-travel factors that affect a citizen’s global mobility and quality of life.
This broader approach provides a clearer picture of how powerful or weak a passport truly is in today’s interconnected world.
Limited Travel Access for Pakistani Citizens
One of the main reasons behind Pakistan’s low ranking is limited international travel access. Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 45 destinations worldwide through:
- Visa-free entry
- Visa on arrival
- Electronic travel authorization
This gives Pakistan a travel score of 45, which contributes half of its overall ranking score. While this number has slightly improved compared to previous years, it remains far below the global average.
Many popular travel destinations, including Europe, North America, and parts of East Asia, still require Pakistani citizens to obtain visas in advance, often through lengthy and complex application processes.
Regional Comparison Shows Pakistan Lagging Behind
When compared with other South Asian countries, Pakistan’s passport continues to perform poorly. Countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal generally rank higher, offering their citizens broader travel access and better international mobility.
Even some conflict-affected or economically weaker nations have managed to improve their rankings through diplomatic agreements and improved visa policies. Pakistan’s continued low position highlights the need for stronger international engagement and policy reforms.
Taxation Score Offers Limited Relief
In the taxation category, Pakistan received a score of 20. This score indicates that Pakistani citizens have the option to relocate abroad and are not subject to worldwide taxation once they leave the country.
While this provides some financial flexibility for overseas Pakistanis, it has limited impact on overall passport strength. Taxation policies alone cannot significantly improve mobility without better travel access and global trust.
Global Perception Remains a Key Challenge
Pakistan also scored 20 in global perception, reflecting the level of scrutiny Pakistani travelers face internationally. This category measures how a country’s citizens are viewed at foreign borders, including concerns related to immigration risk, security, and overstays.
Pakistani travelers often face:
- Lengthy visa processing times
- Higher rejection rates
- Increased questioning at immigration checkpoints
Experts believe that improving Pakistan’s global image through diplomatic efforts, economic stability, and internal reforms could gradually improve this score over time.
Dual Citizenship Rules Provide Some Advantage
Pakistan received a dual citizenship score of 30, as its citizens are allowed to hold multiple nationalities with certain restrictions. Pakistan permits dual nationality with selected countries, mainly in Europe, North America, and parts of the Middle East.
While this policy offers advantages to overseas Pakistanis, it remains limited compared to countries that allow unrestricted dual citizenship. Expanding these agreements could help improve Pakistan’s long-term ranking.
Low Score in Personal Freedom
One of the weakest areas for Pakistan in the index is personal freedom, where the country scored just 20. This category includes factors such as:
- Freedom of movement
- Civil liberties
- Legal rights
- Press freedom
- Social and political freedoms
A low personal freedom score places Pakistan in the lower tier globally and significantly impacts its overall passport strength. Analysts note that improvements in governance, rule of law, and individual rights could positively influence this score.
10 Lowest-Ranked Passports Globally
According to the latest index, the countries with the weakest passports include:
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Eritrea
- Iraq
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Iran
- Palestine
- Somalia
- Yemen
Among these, only North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, and Afghanistan ranked below Pakistan. Being placed in this group reflects persistent challenges related to conflict, political instability, and limited global integration.
Impact on Students, Workers, and Travelers
The weak passport ranking directly affects millions of Pakistanis, especially:
- Students seeking education abroad
- Skilled workers applying for overseas jobs
- Business professionals attending international events
- Tourists planning leisure travel
Visa delays, high rejection rates, and travel uncertainty often result in financial losses and missed opportunities. For many Pakistanis, international travel remains expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable.
What Can Improve Pakistan’s Passport Strength?
Experts suggest several steps that could help improve Pakistan’s passport ranking in the future:
- Strengthening diplomatic relations
- Improving internal security and governance
- Negotiating visa waiver agreements
- Enhancing border management and documentation systems
- Promoting economic stability and global trade
Long-term reforms, rather than short-term measures, are essential to build international trust and credibility.
Conclusion – Pakistan Passport Strength Remains Low Global Rankings
Pakistan’s passport strength remains low in the latest global rankings, reflecting long-standing issues related to travel access, global perception, and personal freedom. While limited progress has been made in some areas, the country continues to face significant challenges in improving international mobility for its citizens.
Meaningful improvements will require consistent policy reforms, stronger international engagement, and internal stability. Until then, Pakistani passport holders are likely to continue facing restrictions when traveling abroad.
