Opinion | Why Does Pakistan’s Passport Rank Among World’s Weakest and Lowest in the Henley Passport Index?

A passport is more than just a travel document; it reflects a country’s global reputation, diplomatic relations, security perception, and international trust. Simply put, the stronger the passport, the stronger the country’s global standing. A strong passport, such as those of Japan or Singapore, allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries. A weak passport, by contrast, offers limited travel freedom. Pakistan’s passport has consistently ranked among the world’s weakest and lowest in the annual Henley Passport Index for many years. It currently ranks 100th globally, just above Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 31 destinations, mainly in Africa and the Caribbean.

Terrorism has played a major role in putting Pakistan’s passport where it is today. For decades, Pakistan has found itself linked to terror activities, with many attacks taking place in India, particularly in the Kashmir Valley. Pakistan-backed terrorism in Kashmir has a long history. Terror proxies like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen have well-established roots in Pakistan and have worked on Pakistan’s directions in Kashmir, carrying out terror attacks against security forces, plunging Kashmir into darkness, hurting Kashmir’s economy, tourism, education, and businesses, fracturing families, killing our sons and fathers, widowing our women, poisoning the minds of youth, radicalising innocent Kashmiris, and turning a heaven into hell. Not only in Kashmir, Pakistan-backed terrorists have also left their bloody marks in other parts of India, including the Mumbai terror attacks and the Pathankot attack, claiming hundreds of lives. The world took notice, and it had a direct impact on Pakistan’s international image and credibility. When a country comes under suspicion in the eyes of the international community, its international travel document bears the consequences the most.

Internal security is another major factor, and Pakistan’s internal security situation needs no introduction. Violence and terror attacks within the country have become recurring stories. Recently, reports highlighted the deaths of 54 security personnel within a single week in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in various attacks. Incidents such as the Jaffar Express attack, the Karachi attack, and the Islamabad Mosque attack have further raised concerns over the country’s security situation. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. Pakistan, which has long found itself linked to terrorism across India, especially in Kashmir, is now battling terrorism within its own borders. A country grappling with frequent terror attacks, security failures, and instability finds it difficult to project itself as a stable and secure state. As a result, its international trust, image, and reputation suffer, and one of the clearest reflections of that is the strength of its passport.

A nation’s economy and financial stability are often reflected in the strength of its passport. Major economies generally have stronger passports, while countries facing economic crises tend to have weaker ones. Pakistan, since its inception, has relied heavily on external loans and IMF bailout programmes, receiving billions of dollars in financial assistance over the years. Poverty and unemployment continue to remain major challenges, inflation has soared, and making ends meet has become a distant dream for many ordinary Pakistanis. Thus, Pakistan’s weak economy has significantly affected the strength and global ranking of its passport.

One of the key factors that determines the strength of a passport is the political stability of a country, and Pakistan has struggled to project itself as a politically stable state. No Prime Minister of Pakistan has completed a full five-year term in office. For much of its history since independence, Pakistan has been under military or presidential rule. Elections have frequently been accompanied by allegations of rigging, while the military’s influence over civilian affairs has been widely documented. Several former Prime Ministers have either been imprisoned, disqualified, or, in the case of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, executed following a controversial trial. Frequent political instability, constitutional crises, and uncertainty have affected investor confidence and Pakistan’s international image. A country facing prolonged political instability finds it difficult to build global trust, and that trust is ultimately reflected in the strength and global ranking of its passport.

Pakistan’s passport, being an international travel document, remains closely connected to the country’s foreign relations. Strong diplomatic ties often translate into a stronger passport, while strained relations can weaken it. Over the years, Pakistan has found itself increasingly isolated internationally due to concerns over terrorism, its human rights record, and growing global mistrust. These factors have adversely affected its international image and, consequently, the global strength of its passport.

Poor human rights records adversely affect a country’s international image and passport ranking. Pakistan’s record in PoJK, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not hidden from the world. PoJK remains under strict control, while Balochistan continues to witness reports of custodial killings, enforced disappearances, and unrest. Recently, the European Parliament tabled a resolution on abduction, child marriage, and forced conversion concerns involving Christian girl Maria Shahbaz, which could put Pakistan’s trade benefits in Europe under scrutiny. Even press freedom and freedom of expression remain concerns, while attacks on minority communities continue to draw international attention. All these issues collectively damage Pakistan’s global image, international reputation, and ultimately the strength of its passport.

Another factor that influences a passport’s global reputation is the behaviour and perception of a country’s citizens abroad. A passport represents not only a government but also the people who carry it. Reports and incidents involving unpleasant activities, misbehaviour visa violations, or misuse of travel privileges by some Pakistani nationals in foreign countries, including Gulf nations, Türkiye, the United States, and European countries, have contributed to concerns and increased scrutiny. Such incidents involving individuals can affect how travellers from a country are perceived internationally, leading to stricter visa procedures and greater checks. While the actions of individuals do not represent an entire nation, repeated negative perceptions can impact a country’s global image and indirectly affect the ease of travel associated with its passport.

In general, a passport’s strength depends on several factors, including a country’s citizens, government policies, international reputation, and economic stability. I once heard Pakistani actress Saba Qamar mention that while travelling for the shooting of a Bollywood movie, she faced extensive questioning and scrutiny at an immigration office because of her Pakistani passport, while her Indian co-star received a comparatively smoother experience. If such challenges are faced by an international public figure, one can imagine the difficulties ordinary citizens may encounter while travelling abroad. Pakistan needs to work on improving these aspects, strengthening international trust, and building a better global image for its citizens and its passport. Improving Pakistan’s passport strength will require long-term reforms, including stronger governance, improved security, economic stability, better diplomatic engagement, and increased international confidence. Ultimately, a country’s passport reflects not only its foreign relations but also the world’s perception of its stability, institutions and credibility. The weak passport ranking has real-world consequences for ordinary Pakistanis. Students, professionals, businesspeople, and tourists often face lengthy visa procedures, higher rejection rates, and restricted global mobility. Limited travel freedom can also reduce opportunities for education, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

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