Pakistan and Italy have signed an agreement to abolish 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.
Agreement Details
The accord was signed in Rome by Pakistan's Ambassador to Italy, Ali Javed, and Italy's Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia. According to Radio Pakistan, both sides termed the finalization of the accord as a reflection of mutual trust and friendship and an excellent addition to their existing wide range of bilateral mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation.
The agreement shall facilitate smooth exchanges of diplomatic delegations and strengthen bilateral engagement, the report added.
Broader Bilateral Cooperation
Before the signing ceremony, the two sides reviewed their broader bilateral relationship and cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the European Union. Pakistan and Italy have maintained diplomatic relations for more than 75 years and have in recent years increased engagement on trade, migration, education, and development cooperation.
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. Bilateral trade has surpassed $1 billion in recent years.
Italy is home to one of the largest Pakistani diaspora communities in Europe, with more than 300,000 people of Pakistani origin. The two countries 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.
