ع
The agreement and four memorandums of understanding were signed at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during an official visit by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. Oman’s Foreign Minister and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar inked the documents on behalf of their respective countries. The Oman News Agency reported that the pacts also included the minutes of the eighth Joint Ministerial Commission session, which both sides co-chaired.
The visa exemption agreement applies to holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports, removing the need for visas on official travel between the two nations. Pakistani officials described the measure as a step to facilitate smoother diplomatic coordination and institutional exchanges. The pact does not extend to ordinary passport holders.
Three of the memorandums of understanding cover cooperation in telecommunications and information technology, radio and television broadcasting, and the exchange of news and information. A fourth memorandum focuses on collaboration between Oman’s National Records and Archives Authority and Pakistan’s National Archives. According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these documents will promote the sharing of expertise and expand partnerships across the covered fields.
The signing followed a bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers and a joint press conference, where they reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments. Ishaq Dar told the joint briefing that both countries had reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors. The ministers also discussed opportunities for expanded trade, investment and economic partnerships.
Oman ranks as the third-largest destination for Pakistani workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with roughly 360,000 Pakistanis employed there mainly in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics and retail, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. Remittances from Oman to Pakistan exceed $1 billion annually and form a notable component of the country’s foreign exchange inflows. The new agreements build on these existing labour and economic links.
Both sides addressed regional issues during the talks and emphasised the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation to manage tensions. They highlighted the need to maintain safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, routes critical to global energy and food security. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions reflected the longstanding and deep-rooted ties between the two countries.
