Pakistan and Sudan have signed an agreement allowing visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports, marking another step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Sudanese Interior Minister Lieutenant General Babaker Samra Mustafa Ali, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday.
Both ministers welcomed the development, describing it as an important milestone in Pakistan-Sudan relations. Naqvi said the agreement would make official visits and high-level exchanges easier while creating further opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries.His Sudanese counterpart also expressed confidence that the agreement would strengthen friendly ties and institutional collaboration.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in several areas, including security, internal affairs, cybercrime prevention, police training, citizenship registration and institutional development. The two countries also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime. The Sudanese interior minister expressed interest in benefiting from Pakistan’s experience and expertise in tackling online crimes.
Naqvi reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to extend all possible support to Sudan, particularly in its efforts towards peace and reconstruction. Highlighting Pakistan’s assistance through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Naqvi said the authority had helped issue 36 million citizenship cards, nine million national identity cards, 18 million birth certificates and 500,000 death certificates in Sudan.
He added that NADRA was ready to continue supporting Sudan in strengthening its civil registration system.The meeting also addressed visa-related difficulties faced by Sudanese women married to Pakistani nationals. Following a request from his Sudanese counterpart, Naqvi directed the relevant authorities to resolve these issues on an immediate basis.
The agreement and broader discussions reflect the two countries’ shared interest in expanding cooperation in security, administration and institutional development.
