WEBDESK: In the latest global passport rankings, the Pakistan passport has been ranked 195th, making it one of the least powerful passports in the world. With the Pakistani passport, citizens have access to only a handful of countries without requiring a visa while powerful passports like those of Ireland, which ranks first.
The strength of a passport is measured by how many countries its holders can visit visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access. While the Pakistan passport struggles with limited travel freedom, countries like Ireland and Switzerland enjoy greater global mobility. This low ranking is a reminder of the challenges Pakistani citizens face when planning international travel with the Pakistan passport.
According to the report, Ireland has secured the top spot, claiming the title of the country with the world’s most powerful passport.
This annual ranking takes into account not only visa-free travel facilities but also five key factors: visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel freedom, tax policies for citizens, dual citizenship allowance, personal and social freedoms.
Based on its balanced performance across all these factors, Ireland scored a total of 109 points, securing the top position. Irish citizens can travel to 176 countries without a visa.
Greece and Switzerland jointly secured second place with 108 points, while Portugal came third. Luxembourg ranked fourth, and Finland and Norway shared fifth place.
The UAE, New Zealand, and Iceland achieved the tenth position in the rankings. Japan and Singapore lagged slightly behind, largely due to restrictions on dual citizenship and higher tax policies in these countries.
In Pakistan’s case, the Pakistan passports low ranking (195th – 5th from bottom) highlights the need for better international agreements and diplomatic efforts to enhance the global mobility of its citizens. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the strength of a passport can significantly affect everything from tourism to business opportunities.
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