The UAE and Pakistan announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual exemption of entry visa requirements between the two countries.
This came during a meeting between H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, as part of the 12th session of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission, held in Abu Dhabi.
UAE and Pakistan ink 3 agreements
In a post on social media platform X, Pakistan’s foreign affairs minister confirmed that the agreement covers mutual visa exemptions for the holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The deal was signed on the sidelines of the “highly productive” 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), which was held in Abu Dhabi after a gap of 12 years, explained Dar. “This important step reflects our shared resolve to further strengthen our fraternal ties and deepen institutional collaboration across all levels,” he added.
Dar added that the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission is an important step in further deepening strategic, economic and development cooperation between the countries. “We reviewed progress in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and IT,” he added.
He also revealed that three important MoUs were signed:
- Visa exemption for diplomatic & official passport holders.
- Cooperation in AI & the digital economy.
- Joint investment promotion.
These agreements will pave the way for enhanced engagement to the mutual benefit of both nations.Â
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Nations seek stronger ties in key sectors
The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held in Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025. It was co-chaired by Dar and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The JMC reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in trade, banking, culture, investment, aviation, railways, energy, food security, climate change, defence, healthcare, manpower, higher education and information technology.
Both sides emphasized enhancing institutional mechanisms and promoting inter-ministerial coordination. The session also included exchanges on regional and global developments. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region. A protocol, outlining procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, coordination through sectoral working groups and facilitation for reciprocal visits, was also signed.
For his part, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, stressed that Pakistan is a long-standing partner of the UAE, as reflected in the distinguished bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971, noting that these relations continue to thrive, with non-oil trade exceeding $8.6 billion in 2024.
He noted that the UAE and Pakistan have spent more than 50 years fostering a partnership rooted in mutual trust, respect and shared objectives, highlighting their joint commitment to a prosperous and forward-looking future for coming generations.
