New Delhi: Pakistan’s passport has been ranked as the fourth weakest in the world, according to a recent report by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory company. The index, which assessed 227 countries, positions Pakistan at the 101st spot based on the number of destinations Pakistani residents can visit without requiring a visa.
Earlier this year, Pakistan was already listed among the five countries with the lowest-ranked passports by the London-based advisory firm. The number of countries offering on-arrival visa facilities to Pakistanis has reduced from 35 to 33 since January, according to Geo News.
At the top of the index, Singapore boasts the most powerful passport, surpassing Japan, which had held the top position for the past five years. Japan now shares the third spot with South Korea, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, and Sweden, providing visa-free access to 189 destinations. Singaporeans, however, enjoy even greater freedom, being able to visit at least 193 destinations around the world without a visa out of the total 227.
The rankings indicate a shift from Asia’s dominance to Europe’s resurgence. Germany, Italy, and Spain now occupy the second spot, granting visa-free access to 190 destinations. Meanwhile, the United States has seen a decline in its rankings, dropping to the eighth position with access to 183 visa-free destinations. However, Britain has improved its standing, moving up to fourth place.
The Henley Passport Index regularly updates its rankings to reflect changes in visa policies and is based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, considering 199 passports.
Over the years, the average number of visa-free destinations for travelers has almost doubled, rising from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023. The report states, “The general trend over the history of the 18-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom.”
Nevertheless, a significant disparity in travel privileges remains between the top-ranked and bottom-ranked countries. Nationals of conflict-ridden nations, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, have the least travel privileges, with access to just 27, 29, and 30 destinations, respectively.
