NEW YORK: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports, easing official travel and facilitating engagement between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan signed the agreement on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was part of the two countries’ ongoing diplomatic engagement at the UNGA.
Dar announced the agreement in a post on X, saying Pakistani citizens holding diplomatic and official passports would be able to travel to Saudi Arabia without obtaining visas.
The agreement covers diplomatic, official and special passport holders and does not extend to ordinary passport holders. The measure is expected to make travel easier for government officials, diplomats and other authorized representatives involved in bilateral engagements.
Dar described the agreement as an important step toward facilitating high-level engagement and institutional exchanges between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, saying it would further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The development comes as Islamabad and Riyadh continue to expand cooperation across economic, political and security matters. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has said the two countries remain engaged through bilateral and multilateral channels on regional and international issues.
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The two sides have also been working to increase investment and trade cooperation. Pakistani officials have sought to develop the economic relationship with Saudi Arabia, while Saudi business representatives have explored opportunities in sectors including agriculture, ports, highways, airport operations, real estate, energy, power distribution and information technology.
The visa agreement adds another institutional mechanism to facilitate official interaction between the two countries, particularly for senior government representatives and diplomatic officials.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also strengthened defence and security cooperation in recent months. The two countries, along with Türkiye, have established mechanisms under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to coordinate on strategic political and defence matters.
The agreement on visa exemptions comes as Pakistani and Saudi officials continue high-level consultations on bilateral relations and regional developments. During the UN General Assembly, Dar and Prince Faisal also discussed bilateral cooperation and the latest regional situation, according to Saudi Press Agency reporting.
