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BEFORE 1914, the world knew no borders — people could travel freely from Europe to India or America without carrying a passport. This is how Stefan Zweig, one of the most widely read authors of his time, fondly recalled the pre-World War I era in his memoir The World of Yesterday.
We are now living in a world defined by borders. Unless you are the king of England or the emperor of Japan, you need a passport to travel, and in most cases, a visa as well. At international borders, individuals are not recognised for their talents but rather by the passport they carry. A high-school dropout from Germany can travel to over 180 countries without a visa. But a renowned Pakistani physician may face issues in attending a medical conference in Germany because of visa issues.
The Pakistani passport has become one of the weakest travel documents in the world, falling alongside war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Syria. In 2023, Pakistanis faced the second highest refusals for Schengen visas, with half the applications being rejected. The situation remains challenging even beyond Europe. The passport’s diminishing access should be a concern for both the nation and its policymakers.
Pakistanis have long been global travellers, but today, visa restrictions have become a major obstacle. On the other hand, Indonesia, a country sharing similar demographics, enjoys one of the highest approval rates for Schengen visas. How did Pakistan reach this point, and is there a way to turn things around?
A strong and credible passport is a key asset.
Restoring global trust begins with a shift in mindset. Every action has consequences. When a country grants a visa, it expects visitors to honour its immigration laws. Violations, such as overstays or baseless asylum claims, not only impact individuals but also shape how other nations view future applicants.
One in three Pakistanis is between the ages of 15 and 29 — one of the youngest populations globally. This asset does not need to die in the Mediterranean while illegally migrating to Europe.
The government must take proactive steps to inform citizens about the consequences of unlawful migration, visa violations and misuse of asylum systems — all of which impact the outcome of new visa applications. Just a few weeks ago, Irish authorities charged a Pakistani national for using a fake Afghan passport to fraudulently claim 48,000 euros in social welfare. Such incidents damage the nation’s global reputation, making visa approvals difficult even for genuine travellers.
Dollars don’t rain from the sky even in developed countries — life has challenges everywhere. Every individual has the right to explore global opportunities — but only if they meet the necessary skills or qualifications. No ‘first world’ country can accommodate 250 million Pakistanis, and each country prioritises skilled professionals based on demand. Most developed countries publish the list of in-demand occupations on their official websites. It is crucial to get information from credible channels only.
We are living in the era of technology, where remote work opportunities are growing, payment gateways are available, and anyone with a functioning laptop and an internet connection can become an entrepreneur. If a young entrepreneur from Australia without any coding knowledge can turn a simple graphic design idea into a $3.2 billion company like Canva, which now competes with global giants like Microsoft and Adobe, why can’t a graduate from Pakistan achieve the same? What we lack is vision, not talent.
Educational policies need to be reformed in the country and institutions must cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. The government must implement pro-business policies, ease business regulations, and lift unnecessary restrictions on legitimate international payment gateways. Stagnant policies prevent Pakistan from keeping pace with the region, let alone the world.
Both industrialisation and agriculture need stronger incentives. Isn’t it alarming that the world’s seventh-largest wheat producer now has to rely on wheat imports for its own needs?
A strong and credible passport is a key asset in today’s interconnected world. For Pakistan’s economy to thrive, its entrepreneurs and exporters must have the freedom to showcase their services and products globally. The citizens must act responsibly while travelling internationally and the government must work to improve the credibility of its passport. In the last 20 years, Pakistan has failed to secure a single major visa-free agreement for its ordinary citizens.
For the green passport to become an asset rather than a liability, the nation and its policymakers must act responsibly, and without delay. Otherwise, the risk of blanket restrictions on Pakistani passports by some countries may soon become a reality.
The writer is an expert in citizenship and immigration laws.
Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2025
