- Pakistani fashion designer Zara Shahjahan faced backlash for a tone-deaf tweet denying the reality of the limitations of the Pakistani passport’s ranking, highlighting the disconnect between the elite and the rest of society.
- Netizens criticized Zara’s privileged stance, sharing personal stories of visa rejections and the challenges faced by many Pakistanis due to their weak passport.
- The Pakistani passport ranks 100th out of 103, making it the fourth-worst passport globally, with only 33 countries offering visa-free access, prompting a significant brain drain of highly skilled individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
That Pakistan’s elite class is divorced from the reality that the country’s 99 percent face is a well-known fact. But some moments sting acutely – exposing the deep divisions within Pakistani society. A similar case happened last week when Pakistani fashion designer Zara Shahjahan.
The creative director of the brand ‘Zara Shahjahan’ posted a tone-deaf tweet on Twitter on July 21 in response to a tweet highlighting the latest ranking of the Pakistani passport.
“This shows nothing. I’ve travelled the world with my Pakistani passport and would never give it up for any other. This is a lie.”
This tweet was in response to a tweet by lawyer Muneeb Qadir who added a brief commentary on the reasons that could have led to the dismal position.
This shows nothing. I’ve travelled he world with my Pakistani passport and would never give it up for any other. This is a lie https://t.co/Pd4OeCpRks
— zara shahjahan (@ZaraShahjahan) July 21, 2023
Pakistani fashion designer Zara Shahjahan faced backlash for a tone-deaf tweet denying the reality of the limitations of the Pakistani passport’s ranking, highlighting the disconnect between the elite and the rest of society.
Netizens criticized Zara’s privileged stance, sharing personal stories of visa rejections and the challenges faced by many Pakistanis due to their weak passport.
The Pakistani passport ranks 100th out of 103, making it the fourth-worst passport globally, with only 33 countries offering visa-free access, prompting a significant brain drain of highly skilled individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
Zara Shahjahan’s dismissive “it’s a lie” statement irritated netizens who said that the comment was a reflection of Zara’s privilege and status in society.
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Twitter user Daniel Panjwaneey was quick to highlight Zara Shahjahan ‘s tweets’s tone-deaf narrative: “Was rejected a student visa to Finland due to “lack of reason to travel” to go to culinary school even though I had an official acceptance offer, a ticket, funds in the bank, accommodation sorted. The appeal was rejected too. I think you’re missing the point here,” he shared.
Another Twitter user added, “It was 2019 and my visa for New Zealand was rejected on grounds of me providing documents that prove I might not possibly return back to Pakistan. This was just before I came to the US. Pakistani passports worth nothing in the West, some of us had so many threats to our lives.”
Zara Shahjahan interacted with a few users who called her out but didn’t agree that she was missing the point. When a user pointed out that they couldn’t vacation in Europe because of strict visa policies, she added, “Why visit Europe when you can go to so many other countries? A woman at the Prague embassy threw my passport on my face when I said I’m not dying to go to your country I’m going for a fashion show which I’m invited to.”
The Pakistani passport has ranked the world’s fourth-worst (100th position out of 103), according to the Global Mobility Report 2023 published by Henley & Partners on July 18.
The index looks at the visa-free access that a country enjoys. Nationals of Singapore (which has topped the list and emerged as the world’s strongest passport) have visa-free access (including visa on arrival) to 192 countries. Pakistani passport holders enjoy such a facility in 33 countries. Pakistan is only ahead of Iran, Syria and Afghanistan (3 countries that have been a victim of US sanctions and conflicts).
Pakistani nationals have been abandoning the country they call home in large numbers for years now. In 2022, more than 17,900 highly skilled Pakistanis (the highest ever) moved abroad for better job opportunities. This year (2023), over 10,000 highly qualified individuals left Pakistan for greener pastures abroad till June 2023.