Pakistani passport continues to rank fourth worst

KARACHI: The latest Henley Passport Index released on Tuesday has yet again ranked Pakistan’s passport as one of the least powerful in the world.

The country ranks 100th along with Yemen and is among the bottom four countries with the worst passports, ahead of only Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Countries Libya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Somalia, Palestine, Bangladesh, North Korea and Iran are better than Pakistan when it comes to passport ranking.

The country scored a low 33, which means Pakistani passport holders have a visa-free arrival facility at only 33 countries. While Pakistan finds itself positioned near the bottom of the rankings, Singapore continues to enjoy unrivalled travel freedom with its world-leading passport.

The report reveals that Singaporean passport holders can now access a record-breaking 195 destinations visa-free. This puts them at a significant advantage when it comes to international travel for business, tourism, or even studying abroad.

Aviation journalist Tahir Imran Mian places this low ranking on Pakistan’s economic woes. He says: “While there are different criteria for these rankings, the major criterion is a country’s economic situation. Citizens from countries with strong economies are less likely to abandon their country and settle abroad without proper paperwork.

“A majority of Pakistanis, however, are likely to leave Pakistan if they get an opportunity. And there are multiple situations where Pakistanis who either are members of minority communities or have people abroad are more inclined to leave Pakistan and use whatever means they have on their hand to do so.”

For Pakistan, the report highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving greater travel freedom for its citizens. The index underscores the growing disparity in global mobility, where some countries enjoy extensive travel freedom while others face significant restrictions.

This ranking serves as a potential call to action for Pakistan to explore avenues for improvement. By working towards increased international cooperation and diplomacy, the country might strive for a future with more accessible travel opportunities for its citizens.

France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain came in second with a score of 192. The UK ranked fourth on the index, granting its citizens visa-free access to 190 countries. The United Arab Emirates climbed the ranks, moving from eleventh to ninth place this year. Sharing this position with Lithuania and Estonia, UAE passport holders can access 185 countries without a visa. Canada and the US secured seventh and eighth positions, respectively, with visa-free entry to 187 and 186 countries.

India, Tajikistan, and Senegal shared the 82nd spot, offering visa-free travel to 58 destinations. Bahrain, Oman, and China came 57th, 58th, and 59th, respectively. Afghanistan ranked the lowest, with its passport being the worst in the world.