Pakistan, Saudi Arabia scrap visa barriers

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports, in a move aimed at facilitating official travel and strengthening institutional ties between the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed an agreement with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

The agreement will make travel easier for officials and other eligible passport holders from both countries. It is also expected to facilitate high-level visits and institutional exchanges between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Speaking after the signing, Ishaq Dar described the agreement as a matter of pleasure and welcomed it as an important development in bilateral relations.

He said the decision would further facilitate high-level contacts and institutional exchanges between the two countries. Such exchanges are considered important for maintaining regular communication between government institutions and strengthening cooperation.

Dar said the agreement would also contribute to further expanding the strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries.

He added that the move would support greater cooperation in areas of mutual interest and help deepen bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement comes as Islamabad and Riyadh continue to strengthen their longstanding relations through diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation and high-level exchanges.