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The Pakistani passport has once again been ranked among the weakest in the world, placing fourth from the bottom for the fifth year in a row, according to a Dawn report, citing the 2025 Henley Passport Index — a global ranking of 199 passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
In the latest index released on October 7, Pakistan was ranked 103rd, tied with Yemen. Only Iraq (104), Syria (105), and Afghanistan (106) ranked lower.
According to the index, both Pakistani and Yemeni passport holders can travel visa-free to just 31 out of 227 possible destinations. In comparison, holders of Iraqi passports have access to 29 countries without a visa, Syrians to 26, and Afghan nationals to just 24, added the report.
Pakistan’s passport has consistently ranked among the world’s weakest, holding the fourth-worst position on the Henley Passport Index since 2021. The index measures the number of destinations passport holders can visit without a prior visa or with a visa on arrival.
Pakistan ranked 100th in both 2023 and 2024, 109th in 2022 with access to 32 countries, and 107th in 2021 with the same visa-free score.
Meanwhile, according to the report, Singapore topped the 2025 ranking with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189).
Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland share fourth place on the Henley Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 188 destinations.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAustria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands follow closely in fifth with a score of 187, added the report.
In a notable shift, the United States has dropped out of the global top 10 for the first time since the index was launched two decades ago.
“Once unrivalled at No.1 in 2014, the American passport has now slumped to 12th place, tied with Malaysia, with visa-free access to only 180 of 227 destinations worldwide,” Henley said in a press release.
The UK passport also saw a decline, falling from sixth to eighth place since July — its lowest-ever position — despite previously topping the index in 2015.
The UAE continued its upward trend, climbing to eighth place with visa-free access to 184 destinations.
Meanwhile, China’s passport fell from 59th to 64th, with its visa-free score dropping from 85 to 82.
With inputs from agencies
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