Pakistani Passports Maintains Its Ranking as The Fourth Worst In the World

The Pakistani passport hasn’t seen much improvement over the past five years and continues to hold the not-so-great ranking of the fourth-worst passport globally. According to the Henley Passport Index, it’s ranked 101st out of 104, allowing its holders visa-free access to only 34 out of 227 destinations. Yep, it’s a bit of a struggle.

Now, let’s talk about the high-flyers. The top six countries boasting the strongest passports are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, with scores ranging from 193 to 194. On the flip side, Afghanistan clinches the not-so-coveted title for the world’s worst passport, granting access to only 28 destinations.

Our South Asian neighbors aren’t too far behind, with Bangladesh at 97, Sri Lanka at 96, and Nepal at 98. India, though, is doing a bit better, securing the 80th spot.

So, where can you go with a Pakistani passport? Well, it’s a short list including Barbados, Comoro Islands, Haiti, Kenya, Maldives, Nepal, Qatar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and a few more.

Henley and Partners’ Global Mobility Report 2024 sheds light on a growing gap in global mobility. The top-ranked countries can travel to a whopping 166 more destinations visa-free than poor Afghanistan, which is at the bottom of the list, struggling with access to only 28 countries.

Dr. Christian H Kaelin from Henley and Partners notes that while the general trend over the past 19 years has been towards more travel freedom, the gap between the top and bottom of the index is wider than ever. It’s a reminder that not everyone has the same ease of travel.

The report also talks about the increasing use of technology in travel-related tasks. Frederic Leger from IATA emphasizes the need for automated processes in checking and verifying travel documents. With passenger numbers set to double by 2040, there’s a call for better airport processes, and passengers seem willing to share their data if it means a smoother travel experience.