Muhammad Amanullah
Date: September 22, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official/special passports, a move aimed at facilitating official travel, high-level engagement and institutional exchanges between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Associated Press of Pakistan)
Agreement Signed During UN General Assembly
Ishaq Dar announced the agreement following his meeting with Prince Faisal bin Farhan in New York.
According to the agreement, holders of diplomatic and official or special passports from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be exempt from visa requirements for travel between the two countries. Saudi authorities described the arrangement as a mutual exemption from short-term residence visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports. (Saudi Gazette)
The agreement is specifically related to diplomatic, official and special passport holders. It does not mean that ordinary Pakistani and Saudi passport holders can travel between the two countries without visas. (ایکسپریس اردو)
Ishaq Dar Highlights Facilitation of Official Engagement
Following the signing, Ishaq Dar said the agreement would further facilitate high-level engagement and institutional exchanges between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
He said the measure would contribute to advancing what he described as the two countries’ longstanding strategic partnership across areas of mutual interest. (Arab News)
The new arrangement is expected to make official visits and movements by government representatives more straightforward by removing the need for eligible diplomatic and official/special passport holders to obtain visas for covered travel.
Pakistan-Saudi Relations and Institutional Cooperation
The visa agreement comes as Islamabad and Riyadh continue to expand cooperation across political, economic, security and other areas.
During their meeting in New York, Dar and Prince Faisal also reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional developments, including efforts to address tensions through diplomatic means. (Saudi Gazette)
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry-linked reporting said the two sides also emphasized continued high-level exchanges and close coordination on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest. (Radio Pakistan)
The agreement therefore provides an additional mechanism for facilitating government-to-government contacts and official exchanges at a time when both countries are maintaining regular diplomatic engagement.
Discussion on Regional Security and Makkah Agreement
The meeting also covered the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and wider regional security issues.
According to Pakistan’s state broadcaster, Ishaq Dar expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned recent attacks targeting the Kingdom. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the Makkah agreement and to promoting regional peace, stability and security. (Radio Pakistan)
The discussions indicate that the visa agreement was part of a broader diplomatic engagement between the two countries rather than an isolated administrative arrangement.
What the New Visa Arrangement Means
Under the agreement, eligible Pakistani officials holding diplomatic or official/special passports will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia without obtaining the previously required visa, subject to the terms of the agreement.
The same exemption applies to eligible Saudi officials travelling to Pakistan.
The measure is intended primarily to facilitate government delegations, diplomatic missions, official visits and institutional exchanges. It does not create visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders or tourists from either country. (Arab News)
The agreement was signed during a major international diplomatic gathering in New York, where Pakistani and Saudi officials are participating in the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.
Both governments have described the development as part of their continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
