Abu Dhabi( The COW News Digital )Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a major step toward enhancing bilateral relations by lifting the visa requirement for holders of official and diplomatic passports. The development came during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), held in Abu Dhabi after a 12-year hiatus.
Led by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the high-level meeting marked a new phase in strategic, economic, and developmental cooperation between the two countries.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ishaq Dar stated that the JMC reviewed progress in key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, and information technology. The commission signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the most prominent of which was the visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
Another MoU focused on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy, while a third agreement addressed the promotion of joint investments, indicating deeper economic integration in the coming years.
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Dar emphasized that the visa exemption reflects mutual trust, brotherly ties, and the strengthening of institutional cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE. He hailed the decision as a milestone in the countries’ decades-old relationship, which he described as rooted in shared values and regional aspirations.
The meeting also highlighted the need for increased collaboration in emerging technologies and sustainable development projects. Both sides agreed to expedite projects of mutual interest and explore further opportunities to expand trade and business linkages.
This renewed engagement comes amid Pakistan’s broader diplomatic push to attract foreign investment and forge stronger ties with Gulf nations. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a key source of remittances.
Observers view this JMC session as a signal that both nations are eager to build upon historic ties and translate them into concrete partnerships,
