Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed today that the ranking of the Pakistani passport has significantly improved, now holding a position among the top one hundred globally. This development marks a notable advancement for the country’s international standing.

According to Radio Pakistan, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry provided this information while responding to a question during Question Hour in the House. He cited the Henley Passport Index 2025, which indicated an improvement of twenty steps for the Pakistani passport. The Minister also mentioned that Pakistan has signed visa exemption agreements with fifty countries for holders of diplomatic and official passports and emphasized various steps taken to improve the passport’s ranking.

In response to another question, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry assured that all fake computerized CNICs and passports would be canceled. Additionally, during the Question Hour in the National Assembly, he announced that thirty designated locations in Islamabad would have free public internet facilities by the end of the next month. The Capital Development Authority, in collaboration with the National Telecommunication, has identified these sites for free Wi-Fi provision.

The Minister elaborated that the free Wi-Fi facilities will be available at fourteen Metro Bus stations from Pak Secretariat to IJP road and seven stations from Faiz Ahmed Faiz to GT Road station. Additionally, CDA Hospital, Japanese Park, Lakeview Park, Daman-e-Koh, Fatima Jinnah Park, Sunday Bazar G-6, Sunday Bazar H-9, F-6 Markaz, and F-7 Markaz will also offer free internet access.

Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry further addressed a question about water resources, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee led by the Interior Minister to address the water requirements of the federal capital for the next fifty years. Plans include adding Chirah Dam or Shahdara Dam to the system and efforts to bring more water from Ghazi-Barotha and Khanpur Dam to meet the needs of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Responding to a call attention notice, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs explained that sanitary affairs in the Islamabad Capital Territory involve collecting solid waste from households and disposing of it under a set mechanism.