The Pakistani passport is an essential travel document granted by the Government of Pakistan to its citizens for international travel purposes. The Directorate General of Immigration & Passports holds the responsibility for passport issuance, under the regulation of the Ministry of Interior. Pakistani citizens can apply for passport issuance and renewal through regional passport offices and Pakistani embassies. Renewals can also be applied online on the DGIP website. Effective January 2014, Pakistani passports are available with either a 5-year or 10-year validity, whereas children under the age of 15 are only eligible for a 5-year validity passport. It's important to note that under national law, Pakistani passports are explicitly not valid for travel to Israel. However, Pakistani travelers can visit Israel after obtaining confirmation from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Pakistan issues two types of passports: machine-readable passports and e-passports. Prior to 2004, Pakistani passports had handwritten bearer details and a passport photo affixed to the cover page. Since then, passports have evolved, with identity information now printed on both the front and back cover pages, which are laminated to prevent unauthorized alterations. In 2004, Pakistan began issuing machine-readable passports, but they did not initially comply with the United Nations' ICAO standards to be considered as "electronic passports" due to a lack of necessary contactless chips and symbols. Pakistani passports are printed at the DGIP headquarters in Islamabad, the capital city. On March 30, 2022, former Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the e-passport, which includes 29 new security features. Initially, e-passports were available only to diplomatic and government officials. Ordinary e-passport issuance was approved on December 30, 2022, with issuance commencing on January 1, 2024. In the initial production phase, these passports were exclusively available to residents of Islamabad, who could apply for them at the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports headquarters in Islamabad. Since August 16, 2023, Pakistani e-passports are accessible from any field office across the country. Pakistan's passport is ranked one of the worst in the world for global mobility.

Types

The issuance of Pakistani passports is governed by the Passport Act of 1974 and the Passport and Visa Manual of 1974. The Government of Pakistan offers three distinct types of passports to its citizens:

Biometric passports e-Passports

In 2022, Pakistan introduced state-of-the-art biometric passports, often referred to as "e-passports." (or Biometric passport). These advanced travel documents include an embedded electronic chip on the data page, which is the first page of the passport and crafted from polycarbonate. This chip is specifically engineered to protect biometric data, ensuring the reliable verification of the passport holder's identity. Inside the chip, you can find the passport holder's image, biometric information, personal details from the data page, a distinct identification number, and a digital signature. These e-passports also incorporate a contactless (NFC) chip, allowing for electronic readability. Pakistani citizens can conveniently use e-gates located at various international airports for streamlined travel. Notably, these recently introduced Pakistani e-passports are fully compliant with the United Nations' ICAO standards.

Machine-readable passports

Pakistan started issuing machine-readable passports (MRPs) in 2004. These MRPs were introduced to enhance security features and comply with international standards for travel documents. Machine-readable passports contain a machine-readable zone, biographic information and a digitized photograph of the passport holder, which can be scanned and read electronically at border control and immigration checkpoints.

Discontinued passports

Security features

The key security features of the Pakistani MRP are: The Pakistani e-passport incorporates not only all the security elements of the MRP but also boasts an additional 29 advanced security features, including: a contactless electronic chip, offset microtext, deliberate errors, relief printing, rainbow printing, Differactive Optically Variable Image Device, UV Printing, Raster Printing, Multiple Laser Image, Modulated microtext, and 3D Design Relief.

Physical appearance

Ordinary Pakistani passports are characterized by their rich green covers adorned with golden insignia. Prominently displayed at the center of the front cover is the State Emblem of Pakistan. Above the emblem, the words 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan' are elegantly inscribed in English, while below the emblem, one will find the Urdu script 'اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان' along with 'پاسپورٹ,' and the term 'Passport' in English. The outer cover of Pakistani machine-readable passports features the State Emblem of Pakistan enclosed within a golden oval. In contrast, the Pakistani e-passport offers a more streamlined and modern appearance by eliminating the oval. The Pakistani e-passport also contains the chip inside symbol. The standard Pakistani passport is composed of 36 pages, but for frequent travellers, there is the option to obtain passports with 72 or 100 pages.

Physical appearance of a Pakistani e-passport

This Passport contains a chip and antenna embedded in Data Page. For best performance please do not bend, perforate or expose to excessive temperature and mositure The passport cover page contains the following instructions above the note:

Physical appearance of a Pakistani machine-readable passport

Passport note

Within Pakistani passports, there is a formal statement from the President of Pakistan, directing the officials of all nations to recognize the bearer as a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This statement also urges and obliges that the bearer be granted unhindered passage, assistance, and protection in times of need. The internal note found within Pakistani e-passports reads as follows: The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan requires and requests all those whom it may concern to allow the citizen of Pakistan named in this travel document to pass freely without delay or hindrance and to afford such assistance and protection as may be necessary While the internal note found within Pakistani machine-readable passports reads as follows: Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan requires & requests in the name of President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan all those to whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

Visa requirements

, Henley Passport Index ranks the Pakistani passport at 100th place, with visa-free or visa on arrival access to 34 nations and territories to Pakistani citizens. , The Passport Index ranked the Pakistani passport 86th, with visa-free or visa on arrival access to 43 nations (based on visa-free or visa on arrival access to nations or territories). Pakistan was ranked 94th in passport strength, which is shared with Somalia. Below Pakistan were Syria (ranked 96) and Afghanistan (ranked 77). It remains one of the lowest-ranked passports in the world.

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Issue Delays

The Pakistani passport delay, ongoing since February 2024, has significantly impacted thousands of citizens worldwide. A combination of factors, including government funding delays for new passport printing machines, technical difficulties, and bureaucratic obstacles, has contributed to the backlog of over 800,000 passport applications. This delay has disrupted travel plans, hindered economic activities, and caused inconvenience for many Pakistanis, both domestically and abroad. In response, the government has implemented measures to clear the backlog, including expediting urgent passport applications and utilizing embassies to process cases more efficiently.