Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced plans to finalize visa-free entry arrangements with 25 countries within six months.
He shared the update while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior. The meeting was chaired by MNA Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s green passport was gradually improving its international standing. He expressed confidence that its rating would improve further over the next six months.
He added that visa-exemption agreements required collective decisions by parliament. These arrangements involve international commitments and Pakistan’s planned transition to electronic passports.
According to the minister, Pakistan has already secured visa-free arrangements with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A similar agreement with Qatar is also expected soon.
Pakistan Targets Visa-Free Access to 25 Countries
The government aims to expand travel facilities for Pakistani passport holders. Naqvi said arrangements with 25 countries would be finalized within the announced timeframe.
However, he explained that the number of blue passports remained an important concern. Pakistan currently has approximately 70,000 blue passports.
Some countries have reportedly indicated that they could end existing visa-exemption agreements. This could happen if Pakistan does not reduce the number to 25,000.
Naqvi said countries usually ask about the total number of blue passports before considering travel concessions. He added that securing visa-free access for 70,000 blue passports was difficult.
Government Reduces Number of Blue Passports
The interior minister informed the committee that 22,000 blue passports had already been cancelled. The government has also stopped issuing new blue passports.
He said international partners wanted Pakistan to reduce the total number to 25,000. According to him, this reduction could help secure additional travel facilities.
Naqvi also stated that blue passports were now being issued to parliamentarians for three years.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry also discussed the issue during the meeting. He said excessive issuance of blue passports was affecting Pakistan’s efforts.
Chaudhry explained that the number of blue passports could influence visa-exemption agreements. He said the issue was creating difficulties in negotiations with other countries.
Lawmakers Question Blue Passport Restrictions
During the briefing, lawmaker Agha Rafiullah questioned the government’s position. He offered to surrender his own passport and asked for the relevant legal provisions.
Rafiullah argued that elected representatives served the public. He also questioned whether the government’s explanation was sufficient.
Other committee members requested a detailed breakdown of the passport reductions. They wanted information about the approximately 30,000 passports removed from the overall number.
Talal Chaudhry assured the committee that the government would provide the requested details.
Pakistan’s Planned Transition to E-Passports
The interior minister also mentioned Pakistan’s planned transition to electronic passports. He said visa-exemption negotiations and international commitments required broader policy decisions.
The government is pursuing travel agreements while reviewing the issuance of blue passports. Its stated objective is to improve international travel facilities for Pakistani citizens.
The next six months will be important for these negotiations. The government expects to finalize arrangements with 25 countries during this period.
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Any progress will depend on discussions with partner countries and the relevant policy requirements.
