Passport indices are more than marketing; they reveal the depth of a nation's governance and global credibility. Pakistan's real challenge lies in rebuilding trust, not chasing scores.

It has almost become routine. Every few months, a new passport index is released, and Pakistan again finds itself near the bottom. The headlines are predictable, the comparisons embarrassing, and the public reaction short-lived. Yet behind this cycle lies a deeper question: what does a weak passport really tell us about governance and diplomacy?

According to the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, Pakistan ranks 103rd in the world, tied with Yemen. Pakistani citizens can travel visa-free to only 31 countries, while neighbours like the Maldives and India enjoy far greater access. Only Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq rank lower.

China, once far behind, has now concluded visa-free or exemption agreements with around 75 countries, linking travel access with trade and investment. The UAE has gone even further: by 2024, its passport offered access to some 180........

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