Arslan Siddique, widely recognised as Arslan Ash, has emerged as an iconic figure within the Tekken 7 community, serving as an invaluable source of motivation for Pakistan’s gaming enthusiasts.
With an astounding record of four Evo championship victories, Ash has indelibly etched his name into the annals of gaming history, thrusting Pakistan into the global eSports spotlight.
Nevertheless, recent events have seen Ash express his frustration regarding the limitations of his Pakistani passport, which currently ranks a modest 100th in the Passport Rankings, lagging even behind countries such as Yemen and Somalia, positioned at 99th.
Taking to the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Ash, who notably secured a remarkable $500,000 prize at the Nations Cup in South Korea in July, candidly stated, “Sometimes, I really wish I didn’t have a Pakistani passport.”
His remarks stem from reported hardships, encompassing visa denials and travel complications encountered while representing Pakistan in international gaming competitions.
Ash’s statements elicited a diverse spectrum of reactions across social media channels. Some empathised with the obstacles he faces and shared their own feelings of frustration, while others pointed out his triumphant journeys to nations like Japan and South Korea, where, with a Pakistani passport, he clinched multiple prestigious titles.
Here’s how Ash clarified the ‘context’ of his earlier post:
