Latest news with #JMC
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Global ranking of green passport improves
Pakistani citizens can now travel to 32 countries either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access, following a notable improvement in the global ranking of the Pakistani passport. According to the latest data released by the international ranking platform Henley & Partners, Pakistan's passport currently ranks 100th globally, a jump from its 113th position in 2021. The improvement is seen as a reflection of Pakistan's enhanced diplomatic outreach and evolving international relations. The development comes just days after Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries to travel without the need for a visa. The bilateral arrangement eliminates pre-travel visa formalities for eligible travellers, further strengthening diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Abu Dhabi. In a post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that he signed an agreement with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on "mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic and official passports of our two countries". "This important step reflects our shared resolve to further strengthen our fraternal ties and deepen institutional collaboration across all levels," he added. It came after both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on mutual visa exemption during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). Officials say the move will ease high-level official engagements and reflect growing trust and cooperation between the two nations.
Yemen Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Yemen Online
Pakistan, UAE agree to strengthen cooperation during Bilateral Political Consultations
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday agreed to strengthen cooperation in multiple sectors as the two sides took part in the second round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan's foreign ministry said. Pakistan and the UAE held their inaugural BPC session in 2020. The BPC is another forum for strengthening cooperation between the two countries that enjoy cordial ties rooted in shared faith, culture, economic, trade and investment ties. In the second round of the consultations, Pakistan's delegation was led by Shehryar Akbar Khan, the additional foreign secretary (Middle East), while the UAE was led by Reem Ketait, the deputy assistant minister for political affairs. 'During the consultations, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors,' Pakistan's foreign ministry said. 'The two sides discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest and reiterated their commitment to enhanced coordination and dialogue at multilateral forums.' Khan stressed further deepening fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE while both sides appreciated the positive trajectory of bilateral ties. Pakistan and the UAE also expressed satisfaction at the progress made under existing institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and regular leadership-level exchanges, the statement said. 'The Bilateral Political Consultations concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and institutional engagements, and to convene the next round of consultations in Islamabad on mutually agreed dates,' the foreign ministry said. The UAE is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner after China and the United States. More than 1.5 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, sending back over $5 billion in remittances annually. Bilateral trade reached approximately $10.9 billion in fiscal year 2023–24, including $2.08 billion in exports and $6.33 billion in imports, according to official Pakistani data.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
MOUs, agreement inked at Pak-UAE JMC in Abu Dhabi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed memoranda of understanding on 'Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements' and 'Establishment of a Joint Task Force to Promote Investments' as well as an agreement on 'Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy'. The 12th session of Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was held in Abu Dhabi on 24 June 2025. It was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Pak-UAE joint ministerial commission session today Prior to the formal proceedings, a working group meeting of the JMC was held under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa and Minister of State of the UAE Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh. The JMC reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in trade, banking, culture, investment, aviation, railways, energy, food security, climate change, defence, healthcare, manpower, higher education and information technology. Both sides emphasised enhancing institutional mechanisms and promoting inter-ministerial coordination. Held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and brotherhood, the session included exchanges on regional and global developments. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region. A protocol, outlining procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, coordination through sectoral working groups and facilitation for reciprocal visits, was also signed. In addition to the protocol of the session, both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and agreed to hold the 13th Session of the JMC in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates. The successful convening of the JMC session underscores the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the UAE and their shared vision for a dynamic and progressive partnership. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, UAE sign MoU on visa exemption
The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), reviewing the full scope of bilateral relations, agreed on concrete measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, banking, investment and other sectors. Held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, the meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Prior to the formal proceedings, a working group meeting of the JMC was held under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and UAE's Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh. The Joint Ministerial Commission agreed on concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in culture, aviation, railways, energy, food security, climate change, defence, healthcare, manpower, higher education and information technology. Both sides emphasized enhancing institutional mechanisms and promoting inter-ministerial coordination. Held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and brotherhood, the session included exchanges on regional and global developments. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region. A protocol, outlining procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, coordination through sectoral working groups and facilitation for reciprocal visits, was also signed. In addition to the protocol of the session, Memoranda of Understanding on "Mutual Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements" and "Establishment of a Joint Task Force to Promote Investments" as well as an Agreement on "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy" were signed. Both parties expressed satisfaction with the outcomes and agreed to hold the 13th Session of the JMC in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates. The successful convening of the JMC session underscores the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the UAE and their shared vision for a dynamic and progressive partnership. BPC The second round of bilateral political consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday reviewed entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. The two sides discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest and reiterated their commitment to enhanced coordination and dialogue at multilateral forums. Pakistan delegation was led by Shehryar Akbar Khan, Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the UAE side was headed by Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. The additional foreign secretary underscored the importance of further deepening the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE, built on shared values, mutual respect, and common interests. Both sides appreciated the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the progress made under existing institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and regular leadership-level exchanges.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan and UAE sign accords to boost investment and digital cooperation
Listen to article Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual exemption of visa entra 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… — 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… — 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 6 to 7 November 2013. Dar had reached the UAE on Monday to represent Pakistan. Read more: Pakistan, UAE sign multiple agreements to boost bilateral ties 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. 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.
