Islamabad, Jan 9 (IANS) – Pakistan’s passport remains one of the weakest globally according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index (HPI), which ranks passports based on the number of destinations accessible visa-free, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Ranked 103rd on the index, Pakistan’s passport is ranked lower than those of Somalia, Nepal, Palestine, Libya, and North Korea, with only Iraq (104), Syria (105), and Afghanistan (106) having weaker passports. Pakistani citizens are granted access to only 33 visa-free destinations, a reflection of the challenges they face when attempting to travel abroad, including high visa rejection rates.
In contrast, Singapore’s passport remains the world’s most powerful, with Singaporeans able to access 195 out of 227 global destinations without the need for a visa. The HPI also highlighted that Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, ranks among the countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates, with rejection rates of 49.6% and 43.3% respectively.
Over the years, numerous countries have imposed strict visa restrictions on Pakistanis due to concerns over illegal immigration, criminal activities, and fraudulent practices. This has led to increasing difficulties for Pakistani citizens seeking to travel. Recently, Saudi Arabia announced that Pakistani travelers must present a polio vaccination certificate, and the UAE has made submitting a police clearance certificate mandatory for visa applicants from Pakistan.
The ongoing visa bans and restrictions by several Gulf countries have further exacerbated the issue, with Pakistani citizens often associated with crimes such as illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking, and begging. In particular, over 4,000 Pakistani beggars have been arrested in Saudi Arabia, especially in Mecca and Medina during Umrah and Haj seasons.
Additionally, 51 deported Pakistanis recently returned to Karachi from seven countries, and 30 passengers were offloaded from international flights at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport due to irregularities with their travel documents.
This persistent decline in Pakistan’s passport ranking highlights the urgent need for reform in governance, security, and diplomatic engagement. A concerted effort to enhance international collaboration and address document misuse could help improve Pakistan’s global standing and ease travel for its citizens in the future.
Recent Random Post:
