UAE Grants Visa-Free Entry to Pakistani Diplomatic Passport Holders Amid Renewed Bilateral Ties

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United Arab Emirates has approved visa-free entry for Pakistani nationals holding diplomatic and official passports, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations. The decision was announced during the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission session, which convened for the first time in a decade. This high-level engagement signaled renewed momentum in efforts to strengthen ties across strategic and economic domains.

Both countries signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in critical sectors such as trade, finance, energy, healthcare, education, and investment. A Joint Task Force has been established to improve visa procedures, refine investment policies, and accelerate economic collaboration. The session also highlighted shared ambitions to work together in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and the digital economy, laying the groundwork for innovation-led growth.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar characterized the dialogue as productive, noting that the outcomes reflect a unified approach to elevating Pakistan-UAE relations. The move to ease travel for a select group of Pakistani officials stands in contrast to the UAE’s recent tightening of immigration policies, which saw over 50,000 visa applications from Pakistan rejected in the past year due to increased scrutiny over compliance issues. The new visa exemption signals a targeted effort to rebuild trust and promote structured engagement between the two nations.