ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy have signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreement was signed in Rome by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed and Italian Foreign Affairs Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia during a ceremony at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Before the signing, both sides held detailed talks and reviewed bilateral relations as well as cooperation at multilateral platforms, including the United Nations and the European Union. Officials said they expressed satisfaction over the growing pace of diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Under the agreement, both countries will ease travel for diplomatic passport holders. Officials said the move will help improve coordination, increase official exchanges, and strengthen institutional ties.
The two sides described the deal as a sign of mutual trust and a positive step in expanding diplomatic cooperation.
Pakistan and Italy already share multiple agreements covering areas such as trade, culture, science and technology, defence studies, and counter-narcotics cooperation. Key frameworks include the Defence Cooperation Agreement (2009), the Strategic Engagement Plan (2013), and the Joint Economic Commission (2005).
Earlier agreements also include the Investment Protection Treaty (1997), Dual Citizenship Agreement (1983), and Extradition Treaty (1972), showing long-standing cooperation between the two countries.
In May 2025, both countries signed a labour mobility agreement in Islamabad. The deal allows Pakistani workers access to thousands of job opportunities in Italy.
Officials said both sides are now preparing for the 7th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations. Pakistan has also invited Italian officials to visit for future discussions and for the inauguration of the new Italian Embassy in Islamabad.
