Mogadishu/Islamabad — Somalia and Pakistan have signed a bilateral agreement removing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, a move aimed at strengthening diplomatic engagement and deepening political cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was concluded during a high-level meeting in Pakistan attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yousuf, reflecting renewed momentum in relations between Mogadishu and Islamabad. Pakistan’s Special Secretary at the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, Dawood Muhammad Baraech, signed on behalf of Pakistan, 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, also attended the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, diplomats from both countries holding official diplomatic passports will be exempt from visa requirements when traveling between Somalia and Pakistan, a step officials said would facilitate smoother high-level exchanges and closer institutional cooperation.
During the talks, Minister Ali Yousuf conveyed a message from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation with Pakistan. Somali officials expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s hospitality and longstanding support, describing the visa waiver as part of broader efforts to institutionalize relations through sustained engagement.
In parallel discussions, Pakistan and Somalia agreed to enhance cooperation in internal security, including training, border control, disaster management, and counterterrorism. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Somali delegation at the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad.
Minister Naqvi announced visa facilitation for Somali citizens traveling to Pakistan for medical treatment and education, and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support Somalia in policing and counterterrorism. Minister Ali Yousuf noted Somalia’s ongoing security challenges and said the visit would open new avenues for cooperation, including learning from Pakistan’s experience in security management and urban infrastructure development.
Both sides emphasized the importance of closer coordination to advance shared interests. Minister Ali Yousuf formally invited Minister Naqvi to visit Somalia and delivered a message from Somalia’s prime minister to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, underscoring the desire to further deepen bilateral relations.
