Pakistan passport ranking improved after over 51,000 travellers were offloaded, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told lawmakers on Tuesday, claiming that stricter immigration enforcement has boosted the country’s standing in global mobility indices.
Addressing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights, FIA Director General said the agency removed around 51,000 passengers at international airports this year on suspicion of illegal migration or misuse of travel documents. Many were allegedly attempting to travel to Europe or stay abroad beyond permitted limits, including notable cases where Umrah visas were misrepresented for onward travel.
According to the FIA, actions to curb illegal travel have had a positive effect on Pakistan’s passport ranking, with officials stating it moved up from 118 to 92 in the latest assessments. Although global indices such as the Henley Passport Index have frequently placed the Pakistani passport among the weakest worldwide, often near the bottom with limited visa‑free access compared to other countries, recent diplomatic efforts have expanded travel options.
In addition to enforcement measures, diplomatic agreements are increasingly shaping Pakistan’s travel freedom. Previous visa exemption deals and expanding visa‑free access have granted Pakistani passport holders entry to more destinations. For example, holders now enjoy visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 32 countries, as documented in a detailed report on global travel freedoms. To explore more on this improvement and the list of countries with expanded access.
Committee members were told that 24,000 Pakistanis were deported by Saudi Arabia, with thousands more returned from UAE and Azerbaijan on beggary or immigration violations this year. Figures also show Pakistan has moved out of the top five countries with the highest illegal migrant attempts due to enhanced monitoring.
While experts caution that global passport rankings still reflect significant limitations for Pakistani citizens, authorities say continued diplomatic engagement and strengthened immigration protocols are key to improving international mobility. The FIA also plans new measures, including an immigration pre‑clearance application, set to launch early next year to further streamline travel compliance.
