https://arab.news/5jxu2
- Agreement aims to facilitate official exchanges and deepen diplomatic engagement
- Islamabad and Rome have expanded cooperation in trade, labor mobility, migration in recent years
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Italy have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, a move aimed at facilitating official travel and strengthening bilateral engagement between the two countries, Pakistan’s state broadcaster reported on Wednesday.
The accord comes as Islamabad and Rome seek to deepen cooperation across a range of areas, including trade, labor mobility, migration, agriculture and development. Italy is home to one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities in Europe, while bilateral trade has surpassed $1 billion in recent years.
Pakistan and Italy have also strengthened cooperation on labor mobility, signing a migration and labor agreement in 2025 and establishing mechanisms to facilitate legal employment pathways for Pakistani workers seeking opportunities in Italy.
“Both sides termed the finalization of the accord as reflection of mutual trust and friendship and an excellent addition to their existing wide range of bilateral mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation,” Radio Pakistan reported after the agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports was signed in Rome by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy Ali Javed and Italy’s Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia.
“The agreement shall facilitate smooth exchanges of diplomatic delegations and strengthen bilateral engagement.”
Ahead of the signing ceremony, the two sides reviewed their broader bilateral relationship and cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the European Union, according to the report.
Italy is one of Pakistan’s key trading partners in Europe. Pakistan’s exports to Italy, dominated by textiles, garments and food products, exceeded $1.1 billion in 2025, while Italy exports machinery, pharmaceuticals and industrial equipment to Pakistan.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 75 years and have in recent years increased engagement on trade, migration, education and development cooperation.
Italy also hosts more than 300,000 people of Pakistani origin, making it one of the largest Pakistani communities in Europe.