THE publication of the Henley Passport Index brings sobering news for Pakistan.
Ranked 103rd globally, the Pakistani passport now grants visa-free access to only 31 countries. This marks a sharp fall from last year’s 96th position, when citizens could travel visa-free to 32 countries. Only Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan sit below Pakistan in the global rankings.
This drop is particularly striking when considered against the backdrop of Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and geopolitical activity. The country has seen a renewed focus on defence and foreign relations evidenced by the defence pact with Saudi Arabia and its success in the recent military escalation with India. These developments have undeniably elevated Pakistan’s diplomatic visibility. Travel freedom is one of the clearest indicators of international trust, cooperation and soft power. And in that regard, Pakistan lags behind. If we are to uplift our passport ranking, and by extension, our global standing, we must focus on building stronger economic ties with influential nations and regional blocs. Our friend China whose passport ranking has jumped dramatically from 94th in 2015 to 64th in 2025, gained access to 37 more destinations in the span of a decade. This ascent has not come through military muscle alone but through strategic economic partnerships, global diplomacy and a sustained effort to project a stable and cooperative image abroad. Pakistan would do well to follow this example. Initiatives under CPEC or collaborations in important sectors must be expanded into broader bilateral and multilateral agreements that foster trust and goodwill. At the same time, we must acknowledge the internal issues that tarnish our image abroad. Recent reports of Pakistani individuals travelling to Saudi Arabia for begging have not only embarrassed the nation but undermined the very trust we seek to build with our partners. These incidents reinforce negative stereotypes and hurt diplomatic efforts aimed at improving our citizens’ mobility. The State must crack down hard on such elements through improved vetting, law enforcement and by raising awareness of the broader damage caused by such behaviour. A powerful passport is not a privilege but is earned through trust, consistency and constructive global engagement. Pakistan has the potential, the talent and now the diplomatic platform to improve its global mobility. What it requires is a focused strategy rooted in economic diplomacy, global cooperation and disciplined domestic conduct.
