ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday agreed to formally sign a Pre-Immigration Clearance agreement to facilitate passengers traveling between the two countries.
The consensus was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the UAE delegation led by Director General of Customs and Port Security Ahmed bin Lahej Al-Falasi, the Pakistani interior ministry said.
“The meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-UAE relations, expanding bilateral cooperation, and introducing modern measures to make the immigration process more convenient for travelers,” the statement said.
Under the agreed framework, the new pre-immigration clearance system will initially be launched on a pilot basis from Karachi in the first phase.
The system will allow travelers bound for the UAE to complete their immigration and related clearance formalities in Pakistan before departure.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that once the system is operational, passengers will no longer be required to undergo lengthy immigration procedures upon arrival in the UAE.
“Travelers will be able to leave the airport in the same manner as domestic passengers, saving time and significantly enhancing their overall travel experience,” he said.
The UAE delegation welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step toward strengthening people-to-people links and facilitating smoother travel for citizens of both countries.
They reaffirmed their full support and cooperation for the successful implementation of the project.
Both sides agreed that the relevant authorities would maintain close coordination to finalise the administrative and technical aspects of the pilot project. Following a successful trial phase, the system will be gradually extended to additional locations.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE foreign ministry.
It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates who send back more than $5 billion in remittances to the South Asian country annually.
The two countries regularly engage in high-level diplomatic and economic dialogues to strengthen their strategic partnership and regional stability.
The relationship emphasises mutual support, economic growth, and shared development goals, reflecting a commitment to long-term collaboration.
