NEW YORK: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports, in a step aimed at facilitating high-level exchanges between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar signed the agreement with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Dar announced the signing in a post on X, saying the agreement would help facilitate high-level engagement and institutional exchanges between the two countries.
Pleased to announce that on the sidelines of #UNGA2026,
I signed today with my brother, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan @FaisalbinFarhan, the “Agreement between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of… pic.twitter.com/9w1F2z41f5— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) September 21, 2026
He expressed the hope that the initiative would “further facilitate high-level engagement and institutional exchanges” and contribute to strengthening the two countries’ “enduring and brotherly strategic partnership” across areas of mutual interest.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain close bilateral relations, with regular high-level diplomatic exchanges and cooperation in a range of political, economic, security and strategic areas. The latest agreement comes amid a series of steps taken by Islamabad and Riyadh to deepen bilateral cooperation.
On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security, enhancing defence cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Later in August, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also agreed to increase Pakistani agricultural and food exports to the Gulf kingdom to $3 billion. The agreement was reached during a visit to Pakistan by a Saudi delegation led by Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fadley.
READ ALSO: Saudi Arabia Introduces One-Year Multiple-Entry Umrah Visa
The two countries have also taken measures to facilitate travel between them. In July, Saudi Arabia introduced a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for one year from the date of issuance, allowing pilgrims to enter the kingdom multiple times, with a cumulative stay of up to 90 days in a year.
In another measure announced in 2024, Saudi Arabia eased tourist visa requirements for Pakistani travellers, allowing eligible applicants to submit a bank statement showing a minimum monthly credit amount of $750, or its equivalent.
The latest visa-exemption agreement specifically applies to holders of diplomatic, official and special passports and is expected to make official travel and institutional engagement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia more convenient.
