Passport Rankings
Pakistan’s passport continues to rank among the least powerful globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index 2024.
The green passport is positioned 100th out of 103, sharing this rank with Yemen, which places it fourth from the bottom, just ahead of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
This ranking marks no improvement from the previous index released in January, where Pakistan also held the fourth-worst passport position.
The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
Singapore holds the top spot with visa-free access to 195 countries. This is followed by France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain, each of which allows access to 192 destinations without a visa.
The United Kingdom ranks fourth with access to 190 countries, demonstrating the extensive travel freedom its citizens enjoy.
Interestingly, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made significant strides, climbing to the ninth position.
The UAE shares this spot with Lithuania and Estonia, all of which offer visa-free access to 185 countries. This climb indicates a growing recognition of the UAE’s passport strength and its strategic international relations.
Canada and the United States rank seventh and eighth, respectively, underscoring their significant global mobility.
In the middle tier, India, Tajikistan, and Senegal share the 82nd spot, reflecting a moderate level of travel freedom.
Meanwhile, Bahrain, Oman, and China occupy the 57th, 58th, and 59th positions, respectively, highlighting a varying degree of mobility within this region. These rankings show the disparities in global mobility and the privileges that come with holding different national passports.
The index, which utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association, emphasizes the global mobility disparities between countries. Pakistan’s low ranking signifies the limited travel freedom enjoyed by its citizens.
This restricted mobility can impact not only personal travel but also business and international relations.
The government and policymakers might view this as a critical area for improvement, considering the potential benefits of a stronger passport in terms of economic and diplomatic relations.
Moreover, the Henley Passport Index provides insights into how different countries are perceived in terms of security, diplomatic relations, and international cooperation.
A passport that offers extensive travel freedom reflects positively on the country’s international standing and its relationships with other nations.
Conversely, a low-ranking passport, like Pakistan’s, suggests areas where diplomatic efforts and bilateral agreements could be enhanced to improve global mobility for its citizens.
Overall, the Henley Passport Index serves as a reminder of the disparities in global mobility and the importance of international diplomacy and relations in enhancing travel freedom.
For countries like Pakistan, focused efforts towards improving their passport ranking could yield significant benefits for their citizens and the country as a whole.
