ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday announced that Saudi citizens can now visit the Saudi Asian country without restrictions, as part of measures to further strengthen the deep-rooted bilateral ties between the two brotherly nations.
The announcement came after a meeting between Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad.
The two sides held detailed discussions covering diplomatic relations, travel policies, and law enforcement cooperation.
“We want to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia to prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by the interior ministry.
He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its ambassador for their continued support to Pakistan, especially in the realms of economic aid and social development.
The Minister also thanked Saudi Arabia for its active participation, represented by a high-level delegation, in the recent Pak-Gulf Cooperation Council Anti-Narcotics Conference.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to combating transnational crimes, the Minister underscored the country’s strong desire to collaborate closely with Saudi Arabia in the fight against drug trafficking and human smuggling.
He further shared that new passport regulations are being implemented to address issues such as beggary and illegal immigration, with firm action being taken against organised networks involved in professional begging.
The Minister added that the visa-free entry for Saudi citizens into Pakistan is a reflection of the strong brotherly ties between the two nations.
He expressed special appreciation for the Saudi government’s instrumental role in securing the release and safe return of five Pakistani family members wrongly implicated in a drug case.
“It was only due to the cooperation and support of the Saudi government that this innocent family was able to return home safely,” he said.
Ambassador Al-Malki reiterated the Kingdom’s deep-rooted ties with Pakistan and affirmed Riyadh’s desire to further enhance collaboration with Islamabad in all areas.
Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia, the top source of remittances to the South Asian country.
