The Ministry of Interior is pleased to announce a significant improvement in the global standing of the Pakistani passport. According to the 2026 Henley Passport Index released this Thursday, Pakistan has ascended to the 98th position, rising from 103rd in 2025.
This advancement marks a pivotal shift in the document’s international mobility, moving Pakistan ahead of several regional counterparts, including Iraq (99), Syria (100), and Afghanistan (101). The Pakistani travel document is currently tied with Yemen at the 98th spot.
Pakistan’s passport ranking improving from 126th to 98th is a strong achievement and this momentum will continue, InshaAllah. https://t.co/2PM0UjNo3F
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 15, 2026
Enhanced Global Mobility
The 2026 index confirms that Pakistani citizens now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival (VOA) access to 31 destinations worldwide. Notable access includes:
- Visa-Free Entry: Barbados, Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
- Visa-on-Arrival: Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Kenya, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.
Statements from Leadership
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi hailed the development as a “strong achievement” for the country. In a statement released via official channels, the Minister emphasized that this upward trajectory is the result of focused diplomatic efforts and administrative reforms.
“This improvement on the Henley Index is a testament to our ongoing efforts to enhance the prestige of our national identity,” Minister Naqvi stated. “We have broken the cycle of stagnation seen over the last five years. I vow that this momentum will continue as we work tirelessly to expand visa-free access for our citizens and further strengthen our international relations.”
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Historical Context
The 2026 ranking represents a recovery from a period of decline. After being ranked 100th in 2023 and falling to 103rd in late 2024/2025, the current rise to 98th signals a positive trend in Pakistan’s global travel influence and diplomatic standing.
The Government of Pakistan remains committed to implementing further policy measures to ensure the continued elevation of the Pakistani passport on the global stage.
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