Islamabad – In a notable diplomatic stride, Pakistan’s passport has seen a significant improvement in its global standing, with citizens now able to travel to 32 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival facilities.
According to the latest Henley Passport Index — a widely referenced international ranking by Henley & Partners — Pakistan’s passport currently sits at the 100th position, up from its 113th spot in 2021. The rise marks a tangible outcome of Islamabad’s ongoing diplomatic engagement and efforts to forge stronger bilateral ties across the globe.
One of the most recent developments came this week, as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) inked a key agreement allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports from both nations to travel without requiring a visa.
The visa exemption deal was signed during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan formalizing the agreement.
Taking to social platform X (formerly Twitter), Ishaq Dar hailed the accord as a “mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic and official passports,” calling it an important step toward deepening institutional collaboration and reinforcing the “fraternal ties” between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi.
Officials believe the new arrangement will facilitate smoother high-level engagements between the two countries and serve as a testament to growing mutual trust and cooperation.
Beyond the UAE, the overall improvement in Pakistan’s passport ranking is being viewed as a broader reflection of the country’s diplomatic outreach strategy, aimed at fostering global connectivity and expanding travel freedom for Pakistani citizens.
As Pakistan continues to recalibrate its foreign policy priorities with a focus on strategic alliances and people-centric diplomacy, the green passport’s gradual upward trajectory signals a move in the right direction — one step at a time.
