Pakistan and Croatia are working to speed up the establishment of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday. The move aims to eliminate the need for Pakistani applicants to travel to a third country for visa processing.
Speaking at a joint news conference alongside Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Dr. Gordan Grlic Radman, Dar stated, "We are working together to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad." He added that the initiative would provide "welcome relief" to Pakistani applicants.
GSP+ Re-entry and Legal Migration Pathways
Dar also revealed that Pakistan has begun preparations to seek re-entry into the European Union's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, ahead of new regulations scheduled to take effect in January 2027. Both sides agreed to continue working on legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers while combating human smuggling and irregular migration.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that Pakistan and Croatia reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the United Nations Charter, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He noted that the Croatian side appreciated Pakistan's role at the UN Security Council, including its efforts to strengthen multilateralism and advance consensus on peaceful dispute resolution.
Bilateral Cooperation in Trade and Investment
Speaking at the news conference, Radman said the visit would help intensify bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, investment, and new sectors. The Croatian minister also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where both leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and other sectors during talks in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister's House, Sharif welcomed Radman and his delegation, stating that Pakistan and Croatia enjoy friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill, and shared interests. The prime minister expressed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism, and skilled manpower.
Invitations for Official Visits
Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and extended invitations to both leaders to undertake official visits to Pakistan. The two sides expressed optimism about deepening ties and exploring new avenues of collaboration.
