Somalia and Pakistan Lift Diplomatic Visa Requirements to Deepen Bilateral Ties

Somalia, Pakistan sign visa-waiver pact for diplomatic passport holders

MOGADISHU — Somalia and Pakistan have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, marking a bid to accelerate high-level engagement and deepen political cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was concluded during a meeting in Pakistan attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yousuf, underscoring renewed momentum in bilateral ties. Pakistan’s Special Secretary at the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, Dawood Muhammad Baraech, signed on behalf of Islamabad, while Somalia was represented by Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Somalia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Sheikh Nur Mohamed Hassan, witnessed the signing.

Under the pact, diplomats from both nations carrying official diplomatic passports will be exempt from visa requirements when traveling between Somalia and Pakistan. Officials from both sides say the waiver is designed to streamline official travel, enable more frequent senior-level visits and support closer institutional coordination across government ministries and agencies.

During the meeting, Minister Yousuf conveyed a message from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirming Mogadishu’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan and expanding areas of cooperation. Somali officials expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s hospitality and longstanding support, casting the agreement as part of a broader effort to sustain high-level engagement around shared interests.

Pakistan and Somalia have maintained cordial relations over the years, with cooperation spanning education, security and diplomatic training. The new visa exemption is expected to further institutionalize those links by lowering logistical barriers for delegations, technical teams and senior envoys, according to officials.

While the arrangement applies specifically to holders of diplomatic passports, the move signals a broader intent to regularize official exchanges and build predictable channels for dialogue. By easing travel for diplomats, both governments aim to encourage more regular consultations and follow-through on joint initiatives.

The agreement comes amid a wider push by both countries to reinvigorate bilateral contacts. Somali authorities framed the visa waiver as a practical step to support their engagement agenda with Pakistan, reinforcing a relationship that has historically included professional training and cooperation on governance and security. Pakistani officials, for their part, indicated the measure will help facilitate direct communication between institutions and foster continuity in bilateral work streams.

No additional terms were publicly disclosed, but both sides emphasized the arrangement’s immediate diplomatic utility: quicker exchanges, fewer administrative hurdles and a clearer path to sustained, government-to-government cooperation. The exemption is expected to encourage more regular interaction by embassies and line ministries, enabling collaborative planning and timely follow-up on agreed priorities.

The signing in Pakistan serves as a signal of intent to anchor the relationship in frequent, formal contact. With the visa barrier removed for diplomatic passport holders, Somalia and Pakistan are positioning their institutions to engage more fluidly as they seek to expand cooperation in areas where both have long worked together.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.