Islamabad and Zagreb expedite launch of Croatian visa processing hub in Pakistani capital

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Thursday that Pakistan is collaborating with Croatia to speed up the establishment of the European nation’s visa processing facility in Islamabad. He emphasized that the initiative would assist Pakistani citizens who presently must travel to Tehran to obtain their visas.

The deputy prime minister made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman. The Croatian minister’s visit marks the first official trip to Pakistan by a sitting Croatian foreign minister, reflecting Islamabad’s efforts to broaden political and economic ties with European Union member states.

At the news conference, Dar pointed out that Pakistani nationals currently need to go to Tehran for Croatian visa processing due to the absence of a Croatian consular facility in the South Asian country.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to mention that we are working together to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad,” Dar stated. “I am grateful that the minister has agreed, because our applicants otherwise have to go to Tehran for visa processing.”

Dar noted he had requested Radman to either establish a visa processing center in the Pakistani capital or authorize an alternative such as Gerry’s, a company specializing in aviation, travel, and visa services, to operate in Islamabad.

“The minister has given me a very positive response,” he added.

Radman said Croatia welcomes stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations and therefore supports the creation of a visa processing facility for Pakistani applicants within Pakistan.

“We look forward to the opening of the Croatian visa processing facility in Pakistan soon,” he said. “And we are grateful for your help in this matter.”

Dar highlighted that both sides discussed cooperation across trade, investment, development, agriculture, labor mobility, education, defense, tourism, infrastructure, seaports, and other sectors.

He added that the two countries will host a business-to-business trade forum in the future to engage the private sectors of Croatia and Pakistan, and invited Croatian investors to take advantage of Pakistan’s investment policies.

Radman’s visit occurs as Pakistan aims to reinforce European relations through expanded trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement. Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013, has increasingly sought outreach beyond the bloc, while Pakistan continues to deepen economic and political partnerships with European countries.

Earlier, the Croatian foreign minister met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, according to a statement from the premier’s office.

“He expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly through enhanced trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism and skilled manpower,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

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