Pakistani passport ranked fifth worst for international travel

The Pakistani passport has been ranked as the fifth worst passport for international travel, according to the Henley Passport Index.

The Henley Passport Index, which is a ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, placed Pakistan on 102nd position. Pakistani passport holders have visa-free access to 33 countries. 

The Pakistani passport is better than only four other countries: Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Japan retained the top spot as the world's most powerful passport. The Asian nation has come out on top in the index, which is revised quarterly, for the second time in a row. 

South Korea edged up the ranking from October's index to join Singapore on second position after offering access to 189 jurisdictions, thanks to a new visa-on-arrival agreement with India.

Among Asian countries, China jumped almost 20 places in just two years, from 85th in 2017 to 69th this year.

European countries also performed favourably, with France and Germany filling the third position and Denmark, Italy, Finland and Sweden taking the fourth spot with visa-free access to 187 countries.

The United States ranked sixth along with the United Kingdom with visa-free access to 185 countries. Meanwhile, Canada ranked seventh.

Here are the 10 most powerful passports in the world:

1. Japan (190 countries)

2. Singapore, South Korea (189)

3. France, Germany (188)

4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden (187)

5. Luxembourg, Spain (186)

6. Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (185)

7. Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland (184)

8. Czech Republic (183)

9. Malta (182)

10. Australia, Iceland, New Zealand (181)

Here are the five least powerful passports in the world:

1. Afghanistan, Iraq (30)

2. Somalia, Syria (32)

3. Pakistan (33)

4. Yemen (37)

5. Eritrea (38)