Pakistan’s passport continues to struggle on the global stage, ranking 91st worldwide, tied with Somalia, according to the latest international passport index. With an overall score of 33.5, the ranking highlights the significant mobility and perception challenges faced by Pakistani citizens when traveling abroad.
Unlike traditional passport rankings that focus solely on visa-free access, this index uses a broader framework. It evaluates passports based on five key indicators: international travel access, taxation policies, global perception, dual citizenship rules, and personal freedom. This approach paints a more comprehensive picture of how a passport affects an individual’s global mobility and lifestyle.
Limited Travel Access Remains the Biggest Constraint
Pakistani passport holders currently enjoy access to 45 destinations through a mix of visa-free entry, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorization (ETA). This gives Pakistan a travel score of 45, which contributes 50 percent of the total ranking weight.
While this access permits limited regional and developing-world travel, it falls behind most countries, especially those in
- Europe
- East Asia
- The Gulf, where passport holders can enter over 150 destinations without prior visas. For ordinary Pakistanis, this can be the cause of various problems in the future
- Lengthy visa procedures
- High rejection rates
- Costly documentation for most international trips
Read more: Singapore Tops Henley Passport Index Again, Pakistan Ramains With Lowest Ranking
Taxation and Global Perception Scores
In the taxation category, Pakistan received a score of 20, which is clearly reflecting that citizens can legally relocate abroad to avoid domestic taxation. While this offers flexibility to high-net-worth individuals, it also states to weaknesses in long-term economic stability and tax policy confidence.
Pakistan also scored 20 in global perception, indicating that Pakistani travelers often face heightened scrutiny at airports, embassies, and border crossings. This perception is influenced by security concerns, irregular migration trends, and geopolitical narratives, rather than the behavior of ordinary citizens.
On a more positive note, Pakistan has got a dual citizenship score of 30, as its citizens are permitted to hold multiple nationalities with certain conditions. This option provides a pathway for overseas Pakistanis to improve mobility and economic opportunities, particularly in Western and Gulf countries.
Personal Freedom Score Remains Low
Pakistan’s personal freedom score of 20 throws it among the lower-ranked countries globally. This category considers
- civil liberties
- rule of law
- individual rights—factors that indirectly influence how a passport is viewed internationally.
Among the world’s bottom tier only North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, and Afghanistan ranked below Pakistan. The list of the 10 lowest-ranked passports also includes
- Yemen
- Somalia
- Palestine
- Iran, underscoring how conflict, instability, and governance challenges directly affect global mobility.
For millions of Pakistanis—students, professionals, and families alike—this ranking is not just a statistic, but a daily reality that shapes aspirations, opportunities, and global access.