Rome, June 2, 2026: Pakistan and Italy have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral diplomatic engagement and cooperation.
The agreement was signed in Rome by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, and Italy’s Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Riccardo Guariglia, during a ceremony hosted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the two dignitaries held bilateral talks and reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Italy relations, expressing satisfaction over the growing momentum, depth and trajectory of cooperation between the two countries.
The discussions covered bilateral ties as well as cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the European Union.
Both sides described the visa waiver agreement as a reflection of mutual trust and friendship and an important addition to the existing framework of bilateral cooperation. The agreement is expected to facilitate smoother exchanges of diplomatic delegations and further strengthen official engagements between the two countries.
Officials noted that Pakistan and Italy currently maintain an extensive network of bilateral agreements and institutional cooperation mechanisms.
At present, 21 memorandums of understanding exist between universities and think tanks of the two countries, while 15 intergovernmental agreements have been signed in diverse sectors including tourism, culture, science and technology, sports, higher defence studies and counter-narcotics cooperation.
Among the key bilateral frameworks are the Pakistan-Italy Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2009, the Strategic Engagement Plan established between the foreign ministers of both countries in 2013, and the Joint Economic Commission formed in 2005.
Other landmark agreements include the Treaty for the Protection of Investments concluded in 1997, the Dual Citizenship Agreement signed in 1983, and the Extradition Treaty signed in 1972.
The two sides also highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Mobility and Migration in Islamabad on May 7, 2025.
The agreement, Pakistan’s first labour mobility accord with a European country, provides a dedicated quota of 10,500 jobs for Pakistani workers in Italy and is expected to expand legal migration pathways and employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani labour.
During the meeting, Ambassador Ali Javed conveyed an invitation from Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary to Riccardo Guariglia to visit Pakistan for the seventh round of Bilateral Political Consultations.
The ambassador expressed Pakistan’s readiness to host the consultations during the last quarter of 2026 and also highlighted plans for the inauguration of the newly constructed Italian Embassy in Islamabad.
He noted that the new embassy complex, expected to be Italy’s largest diplomatic mission overseas, reflects the importance Rome attaches to its relationship with Pakistan and underscores the growing scope of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
