ISLAMABAD: In a sobering revelation before the National Assembly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Pakistan’s passport has dropped to 103rd place in the Henley Passport Index 2025, offering visa-free access to just 35 countries—one of the lowest rankings globally.
The sharp decline in global mobility for Pakistani passport holders has been attributed, in part, to the misuse of Pakistani travel documents by Afghan nationals. According to a detailed report submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat, the illegal acquisition and use of counterfeit Pakistani passports by Afghan citizens have damaged the country’s international reputation, further tightening travel restrictions for genuine passport holders.
The report underscored multiple factors contributing to the passport’s deteriorating standing, including political and economic instability, illegal immigration, and lax oversight in document verification. These systemic vulnerabilities have made Pakistan susceptible to international scrutiny and diplomatic complications.
“The misuse of Pakistani identity and travel documents by non-nationals, especially from neighboring Afghanistan, has become a pressing issue that is affecting our citizens’ ability to travel,” the report noted.
In response to the growing concerns, the government has initiated several measures to restore credibility to the Green Passport. These include digitization of the passport issuance system, installation of new e-passport machines, and stricter enforcement mechanisms against fraudulent documentation.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during a visit to the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports last month, announced a series of reforms aimed at curbing illegal immigration and human trafficking. He emphasized that new passport issuance protocols would help prevent exploitation of the system, particularly by individuals involved in begging and cross-border illegal activities.
“The government will not tolerate the misuse of our national documents. The new systems will ensure quicker, more secure delivery of passports and serve as a deterrent to fraudulent activity,” Naqvi said. He also directed authorities to block the passports of deported individuals and enforce strict penalties for violations.
As part of the overhaul, six new Machine Readable Passport (MRP) systems and two e-passport machines have been installed to boost processing speed and reduce delays. The upgraded infrastructure is expected to increase printing capacity and streamline services across passport offices nationwide.
While these steps mark a serious effort to restore trust and functionality to Pakistan’s travel documentation system, experts say long-term improvements will depend on sustained institutional reforms and regional cooperation to address the root causes of document fraud and identity theft.
The Green Passport, once symbolic of a nation’s pride and sovereignty, now faces a credibility crisis that can only be reversed through strategic planning, diplomatic engagement, and robust internal safeguards.
