Pakistani passport ranks fourth weakest globally

Pakistan’s passport has been ranked the fourth weakest in the world in the latest Henley Passport Index.

Pakistan’s passport has been ranked the fourth weakest in the world in the latest Henley Passport Index.

The Pakistani passport stands at 101st place in the global ranking. Its holders can access 29 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance or through visa-on-arrival facilities.

The Henley Passport Index evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without securing a visa before travelling. The index covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.

The latest ranking shows that Pakistan’s passport remains ahead of only three passports. These belong to Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

The ranking highlights the limited international mobility available to Pakistani passport holders compared with citizens of many other countries.

Pakistan’s neighbouring countries have performed better in the latest index. China ranks 60th globally. India is placed at 81st. Iran stands at 96th.

Despite its low overall ranking, Pakistani citizens can travel to several destinations without obtaining a visa before departure.

Visa-free access is available for Pakistani passport holders to Barbados, the Cook Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Micronesia, Montserrat, Rwanda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.

Pakistani travellers can also obtain visas upon arrival in a number of countries.

These include Burundi, Cambodia, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, the Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste and Tuvalu.

In addition, Pakistani citizens can obtain electronic travel authorisations for Kenya, Seychelles and Sri Lanka.

The passport ranking is widely used as an indicator of international travel access. A higher position generally means that passport holders can enter more destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.

Singapore continues to hold the strongest passport in the latest ranking. It tops the index with access to 192 destinations.

Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates share second place. Their passport holders can access 188 destinations.

Sweden ranks third, with access to 187 destinations.

The latest figures underline the significant gap between Pakistan and the countries at the top of the global passport ranking.