By: Engineer Bakht Said Yousafzai
For the fifth consecutive year, Pakistan has found itself among the world’s weakest passports, according to the latest global ranking. The ranking, released by the Henley Passport Index, once again highlights Pakistan’s limited travel freedom, with its citizens able to access fewer than 35 destinations without obtaining a prior visa. This consistent placement among the lowest tier of the index reflects not only Pakistan’s diplomatic challenges but also the broader economic and political issues that continue to shape its global image.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates countries based on the number of destinations their citizens can visit without a visa. While nations such as Singapore, Japan, and Germany dominate the top positions, Pakistani passport holders remain near the bottom, surpassing only a few conflict-affected or isolated nations such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In 2025, Singapore once again topped the list, granting its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 destinations worldwide, while Pakistani citizens could travel freely to only a fraction of that number.
This sharp contrast paints a picture of the growing gap between nations with robust diplomatic networks and those struggling to establish strong global partnerships. For ordinary Pakistanis, this ranking translates into real-world limitations, restricted mobility, longer visa application procedures, higher travel costs, and limited opportunities for education, business, and tourism abroad. For many, it is not just about convenience but also about dignity, as long queues and rigorous checks at foreign embassies often become symbols of inequality among nations.
Experts attribute Pakistan’s poor ranking to several interrelated factors. Political instability, inconsistent foreign policy, and security concerns have all contributed to the country’s weak global standing. Visa restrictions imposed by Western and regional countries often stem from fears of illegal immigration, overstaying, and terrorism-related risks. Moreover, Pakistan’s slow progress in building reciprocal visa agreements with other nations further compounds the issue. While neighboring countries such as India and Bangladesh have also struggled to climb the rankings, they still outperform Pakistan in terms of global mobility and bilateral agreements.
Economically, Pakistan’s position on the index mirrors the challenges facing its citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. Countries with stronger economies and stable governance tend to enjoy broader travel privileges, as global partners are more willing to open their borders to their citizens. Conversely, when a nation struggles with debt crises, inflation, or political uncertainty, its citizens often face indirect penalties through stricter visa regimes. This has become a reality for many Pakistanis who face difficulty obtaining even short-term visas for business or tourism purposes.
For Pakistan’s large overseas community one of the biggest diasporas in the world, the passport ranking also affects family visits and emergency travel. Pakistani expatriates working in the Gulf, Europe, and North America frequently encounter delays when trying to bring family members over due to tough visa conditions. This not only impacts individuals but also hampers Pakistan’s image abroad, as it perpetuates perceptions of limited global trust and diplomatic reach.
However, analysts believe that improvement is possible if Pakistan undertakes consistent diplomatic efforts and reforms its foreign policy to prioritize global engagement. Establishing new bilateral agreements, enhancing national security measures, and improving the documentation process can all contribute to rebuilding confidence in Pakistani travelers. Strengthening relations with Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, and African nations could also expand visa-free options, gradually improving Pakistan’s international standing.
In a globalized world, a passport represents more than a travel document, it signifies the strength of a country’s diplomacy, the trust of the international community, and the opportunities available to its people. For Pakistan to rise in the rankings, the government must focus on reshaping its narrative from one of caution and isolation to one of cooperation and confidence.
Until then, Pakistani citizens will continue to face barriers that many others across the globe have long left behind. Each stamp, visa form, and interview will serve as a reminder of the challenges their country faces on the world stage. The journey toward a stronger passport, much like Pakistan’s journey toward stability and prosperity, will require patience, strategic diplomacy, and above all, a commitment to change.
