Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual exemption of visa entry requirements among other agreements during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission held in Abu Dhabi.
The session was co-chaired by Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, and the UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two countries signed different agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas such as investment, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, reported Radio Pakistan.
Read: Pakistan, UAE reaffirm commitment to peace
The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood, with both sides exchanging views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region.
My Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed and I signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic & official passports of our two countries, at the conclusion, very late last night, of a highly productive 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint… pic.twitter.com/MQX671bhEk
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025
Among the outcomes of the session was the signing of a protocol that establishes procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, sectoral working groups, and reciprocal visits.
It was pleasure to Co-Chair with Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed the 12th Pak-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, after gap of 12 years, in Abu Dhabi, which concluded very late last night; an important step in further deepening strategic, economic, and… pic.twitter.com/BYe4svVkpS
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025
This meeting, scheduled in October 2024, was the first session of the JMC in 13 years. The last session took place in Islamabad from November 6 to 7, 2013. Dar had reached the UAE on Monday to represent Pakistan.
Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the progress made and agreed to convene the 13th session of the JMC in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates.
Before the official session, a preparatory working group of the JMC met under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Bajwa and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.
Officials reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on practical measures to expand cooperation in trade, banking, investment, energy, aviation, railways, food security, healthcare, climate change, higher education, defence, manpower and information technology.
Read more: Pakistan, UAE sign multiple agreements to boost bilateral ties
Both countries emphasised the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms and promote inter-ministerial coordination to ensure follow-through on joint initiatives.
Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the progress made and agreed to convene the 13th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to the UAE, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The two leaders discussed a broad range of bilateral, regional, and global issues and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing collaboration.
The premier also expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its constructive diplomatic role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India, and acknowledged the country’s broader efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
