ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s passport has dropped to the 102nd position in the global passport rankings, according to the latest report by Henley & Partners. The ranking marks a further decline, with Pakistani passport holders now having visa-free access to just 34 countries.
The report places Somalia, Yemen, Bangladesh, the Palestinian Authority, Ethiopia, and Libya—ranked 101st—ahead of Pakistan. Citizens of these countries enjoy visa-free travel to 38 nations.
At the other end of the spectrum, Singapore maintains its position as the holder of the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain follow closely, with their citizens able to travel visa-free to 192 destinations.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings, with visa-free access to only 28 countries.
The decline of Pakistan’s passport ranking has been attributed to several factors, including illegal migration attempts to Europe due to political and economic uncertainty, as well as the presence of undocumented Pakistani nationals in Gulf countries. Many of these individuals have been involved in illegal activities such as begging, tarnishing the country’s image internationally.
Adding to the issue, Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reportedly bribed authorities to obtain Pakistani passports, further damaging its reputation.
