TODAY’S PAPER | September 22, 2026 | EPAPER

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign visa waiver agreement for diplomatic, official passport holders

FM Dar signs agreement with Saudi counterpart on sidelines of 81st UNGA in New York


Web Desk September 22, 2026 2 min read
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud sign an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official/special passports on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. PHOTO: FO

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official, special passports, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar saying the move would facilitate high-level engagement and institutional exchanges between the two countries, the Foreign Office said.

FM Dar signed the agreement with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“Pleased to announce that on the sidelines of UNGA, I signed today with my brother, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan,” FM Dar said in a post on X.

The agreement, formally titled the “Agreement between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Special Passports”, was described by FM Dar as “an important step”.

“This important step will further facilitate high-level engagement and institutional exchanges,” FM Dar said, adding that it would “contribute to advancing our enduring and brotherly strategic partnership across all areas of mutual interest”.

"The agreement was signed during a meeting between FM Dar and Prince Faisal, during which the two foreign ministers also discussed bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest," the FO said.

The two sides reaffirmed the “deeply rooted and brotherly Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relationship” and welcomed the signing of the agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official/special passports.

FM Dar also expressed Pakistan’s “steadfast solidarity with the Kingdom” and condemned the recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.

The two foreign ministers discussed matters about the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to “strengthening cooperation under the Agreement”.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing “regional peace, stability, and security” and underscored the importance of “sustained high-level exchanges” between the two countries.

"The two sides further agreed on the need for continued close coordination on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest”, according to the FO.

The meeting and signing took place as the Pakistani and Saudi leadership participated in the UN General Assembly session in New York, providing an opportunity for the two sides to discuss their bilateral partnership as well as regional developments.

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