Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Remove Visa Requirement for Official Passport Holders
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement removing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports from the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
Dar said the agreement would make high-level diplomatic engagement and institutional exchanges between the two countries easier. He also described the development as a step toward strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Agreement Covers Official Passport Holders
The new arrangement applies to people travelling on diplomatic, official and special passports. It is intended to simplify official travel between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and facilitate government-level engagements.
The two countries maintain regular high-level diplomatic contacts and cooperate in several areas, including trade, agriculture, defence and regional matters.
In August, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed a separate defence cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening security coordination and defence ties.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also discussed increasing Pakistani agricultural and food exports to the Saudi market, with both sides agreeing to work toward expanding exports to around $3 billion.
Saudi Arabia Eases Some Travel Rules
Saudi Arabia has introduced other travel-related measures affecting Pakistani visitors in recent years.
In July, the kingdom launched a multiple-entry Umrah visa with one-year validity, allowing eligible pilgrims to make multiple visits subject to the applicable conditions and a cumulative stay limit of up to 90 days per year.
Saudi Arabia had also eased certain tourist visa requirements for Pakistani travellers in 2024, including an option involving proof of a minimum monthly bank credit.
Dar Discusses Security Cooperation with Saudi FM
During a separate meeting in New York, Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan also discussed regional security issues and Pakistan-Saudi defence cooperation.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned recent attacks targeting the kingdom.
The two ministers reviewed cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reaffirming their commitment to regional peace, stability and security.
The agreement provides for member states to regard an armed attack against one member as an attack against all members.
The Foreign Office said both sides also stressed the importance of continued high-level contacts and close coordination on bilateral and regional issues.
Pakistan’s military leadership and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif have separately reiterated Islamabad’s stated commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security amid rising regional tensions.
