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Category: World

  • Pakistani passport ranking improves from 199 to 193

    Pakistani passport’s individual power ranking has improved from 199 to 193 on the Global Passport Index list of 2020.

    According to the index, just a year ago, Pakistani passport was standing on 198 — the second to last position. 

    Now, the Pakistani passport ranks better than the passports of Iraq (199), Afghanistan (198), Syria (197), Somalia (196), Yemen (195), and Iran (194).

    Pakistan’s passport is at a rank lower than that of Palestinian territories (192). However, the global group ranking of both passports is same, which is 63.

    The ranking of Iranian passport has declined and stands on 194th, one of the least respected passports in the world.

    The global passport ranking is a symbol of power and prestige. It also indicates your place in the world, how many countries a passport holder can travel without a visa, and how it’s citizens are treated. 

    Countries where Pakistani can travel without visa are as follows:

    1. Gambia
    2. Haiti
    3. Micronesia
    4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    5. Trinidad and Tobago
    6. Vanuatu

    Countries that give eVisa/visa on arrival to Pakistani citizens:

    1. Cambodia
    2. Cape Verde
    3. Comoros
    4. Djibouti
    5. Ethiopia
    6. Gabon
    7. Guinea
    8. Guinea-Bissau
    9. Kenya
    10. Lesotho
    11. Madagascar
    12. Mauritania
    13. Mozambique
    14. Myanmar (Burma)
    15. Nepal
    16. Nigeria
    17. Palau
    18. Rwanda
    19. Samoa
    20. Senegal
    21. Seychelles
    22. Sierra Leone
    23. Somalia
    24. Suriname
    25. Togo
    26. Tuvalu
    27. Uganda

    Here are the 10 most powerful passports in the world:

    1. Japan 
    2. New Zealand 
    3. Finland 
    4. Austria 
    5. Luxembourg 
    6. Ireland 
    7. South Korea 
    8. Switzerland 
    9. Australia 
    10. Denmark 

    Japan and New Zealand sit on the top.

  • Hajj to be held with a limited number of people this year: Saudi Arabia

    Hajj to be held with a limited number of people this year: Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia has announced that it will strictly limit the number of people who can take part in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage because of the coronavirus, putting to rest the fears that Hajj might be cancelled altogether. Saudi Hajj Minister Mohammed Banten had asked Muslims to delay finalising their plans “until the situation is clear” back in March.

    In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that the annual Holy pilgrimage would be restricted to a very limited numbers of pilgrims of all nationalities who are already residing in Saudi Arabia. The statement said that as COVID-19 cases continue to grow globally, and because of the risks of coronavirus spreading in crowded spaces and from other countries, the Hajj will “take place this year with a limited number of pilgrims from all nationalities residing in Saudi Arabia only, who are willing to perform Hajj.”

    “This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings,” the statement added.

    The Ministry also tweeted that people’s health and safety “is our priority”.

    Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri shared the Urdu version of the press release and said that the KSA’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah contacted him via telephone to let him know about Saudi Arabia’s decision about this year’s Hajj.

    Hajj is one of Islam’s most important religious obligations. Recently, singer Atif Aslam expressed his desire to recite the Azaan at the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.