UAE, Pakistan sign visa waiver deal for diplomatic passport holders
Artificial intelligence and investment accords also signed at high-level meet
ABU DHABI has once again taken centre stage in regional diplomacy as the UAE and Pakistan signed a key agreement to waive entry visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The signing took place during the 12th session of the UAE–Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission, held in the capital on Tuesday.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual visa exemption was inked by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
The agreement is aimed at enhancing diplomatic engagement and streamlining official travel between the two nations.
My Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed and I signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic & official passports of our two countries, at the conclusion, very late last night, of a highly productive 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint… pic.twitter.com/MQX671bhEk
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025
Expanding UAE-Pakistan cooperation
The session also featured the signing of additional agreements focused on economic growth and innovation. A major highlight was the MoU to establish a joint task force for promoting UAE investment in key Pakistani sectors. This agreement was signed by Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, and Tariq Bajwa, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Additionally, an agreement on cooperation in artificial intelligence and the digital economy was signed by Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi and Zarar Hashim Khan, Federal Secretary at Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
These developments reflect a broader strategy to deepen ties across a wide array of sectors including energy, climate change, railways, healthcare, defence, and higher education.
Bilateral trade and future vision
Chairing their respective delegations, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh led the UAE side while Tariq Bajwa headed the Pakistani representatives. During the talks, both nations reviewed existing frameworks and committed to enhancing inter-ministerial coordination and sectoral collaboration.
Al Sayegh emphasised the importance of this decades-long relationship, noting that non-oil trade between the UAE and Pakistan exceeded $8.6 billion in 2024. He described Pakistan as a long-standing strategic partner and highlighted the shared vision for prosperity and technological advancement.
Also present were key UAE officials including Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, and UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi.
Next meeting in Pakistan
The session concluded with the signing of an official protocol outlining mechanisms for future collaboration and mutual visits. The 13th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission is set to take place in Pakistan, with dates to be finalised mutually.