The Pakistani passport maintains its position as the fourth least powerful globally, according to data from the UK-based citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley and Partners.
This ranking, persisting for the past five years, places Pakistan at 101st out of 104 on the Henley Passport Index, with a score of 34. This score indicates that ordinary Pakistani passport holders have visa-free access to only 34 out of 227 destinations included in the index.
The top spot for the strongest passport is shared by six countries – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Singapore – all ranking first on the index with a score of 194.
Notably, France, Germany, and Italy have seen a two-spot improvement from the previous year. Tied in the second spot with a score of 193 are Finland, South Korea, and Sweden, while the third spot is shared by Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands, each with a score of 192.
Afghanistan retains its position as the country with the weakest passport, offering visa-free entry to only 28 destinations. Following closely are Syria and Iraq, ranking as the second and third worst passports with access to 29 and 31 destinations, respectively.
Among South Asian countries, Pakistan ranks lower than others, with Bangladesh at 97th (42 destinations), Sri Lanka at 96th (45 destinations), and Nepal at 98th (40 destinations). India stands as the best performer in the region, securing the 80th spot with a score of 62.
The limited visa-free access of the Pakistani passport includes destinations such as Barbados, Maldives, Qatar, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka. According to Henley and Partners Chairperson Dr. Christian H Kaelin, the global mobility gap between top and bottom-ranking countries is widening, despite an overall trend towards greater travel freedom over the years.
The use of technology in travel-related tasks is highlighted, with IATA Senior Vice President Frederic Leger emphasizing the need for enhanced automation in checking and verifying travel documents.
