Pakistan has once again been placed among the lowest-ranked passports globally, ranking 91st, tied with Somalia, according to the latest international passport index.
The ranking does not rely solely on visa-free access. Instead, it evaluates passports using a broader framework, including travel freedom, taxation flexibility, global perception, dual citizenship policies, and personal freedom indicators.
Countries With the Lowest-Ranked Passports
According to the index, the 10 lowest-ranked passports in the world are:
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Afghanistan
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Syria
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Eritrea
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Iraq
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North Korea
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Pakistan
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Iran
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Palestine
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Somalia
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Yemen
Pakistan’s overall score stood at 33.5, placing it in the bottom tier worldwide.
Travel Access Remains Limited
Pakistani passport holders currently have access to 45 destinations through a mix of visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or electronic travel authorization (ETA). This gives Pakistan a travel score of 45, which accounts for half of the total ranking weight.
Despite slight improvements in recent years, Pakistan continues to lag behind many regional and global peers in terms of mobility.
Taxation and Global Perception Scores
In the taxation category, Pakistan scored 20, indicating that citizens are legally allowed to relocate abroad to avoid domestic taxation.
Pakistan also received a global perception score of 20, reflecting the moderate to high scrutiny Pakistani travelers often face at international borders, airports, and visa processing centers.
Dual Citizenship and Personal Freedom
The index awarded Pakistan a dual citizenship score of 30, as Pakistani citizens are permitted to hold multiple nationalities under certain conditions.
However, the country scored only 20 for personal freedom, placing it among nations with the lowest freedom indicators in the global ranking.
Only Five Countries Rank Lower Than Pakistan
According to the index, only North Korea, Iraq, Eritrea, Syria, and Afghanistan ranked below Pakistan, underlining the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces in improving its global mobility and passport strength.
Experts say long-term improvements depend on visa agreements, economic stability, governance reforms, and international trust-building measures.
