ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Sudan have signed a bilateral agreement granting visa-free travel to holders of diplomatic and official passports, marking a new step in Islamabad’s efforts to deepen cooperation with the conflict-affected African nation.
The pact was concluded amid Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023 between the national military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, fueling one of the world’s most severe displacement and humanitarian emergencies.
Pakistan has reiterated its backing for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial unity, expressing concern that the conflict and the rise of a rival administration could lead to a permanent partition. Islamabad has also offered support for reconstruction and institutional capacity-building.
The agreement was signed in Islamabad by Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and his Sudanese counterpart, Lt. Gen. Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali, according to a statement from Pakistan’s interior ministry.
“This agreement will facilitate high-level engagements and exchanges of official delegations between our two countries,” Naqvi said, noting that it would also unlock new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
Both ministers welcomed the deal, calling it a significant milestone in strengthening ties between Islamabad and Khartoum.
The Sudanese interior minister added that the agreement would strengthen friendly relations and institutional cooperation between the two nations, the statement noted.
Following the signing, the two ministers and senior officials held talks agreeing to broaden cooperation in internal security, police training, civil registration, and other sectors.
The two sides also agreed to pursue a memorandum of understanding on combating cybercrime, with Sudan seeking to benefit from Pakistan’s expertise in addressing online offenses.
“Pakistan stands ready to extend full cooperation to Sudan in peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts,” Naqvi said.
Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority has contributed to developing Sudan’s civil registration infrastructure, including systems for issuing citizenship cards, national identity documents, and birth and death certificates.
Naqvi stated that the Pakistani agency has supported the issuance of 36 million citizenship cards, nine million national identity cards, 18 million birth certificates, and 500,000 death certificates in Sudan.
He additionally offered professional training for Sudanese police officers and assistance to Sudanese nationals seeking medical care in Pakistan.
The discussions also covered visa challenges encountered by Sudanese women married to Pakistani citizens, with Naqvi instructing officials to resolve the matter.
The Sudanese minister thanked Pakistan for its support and expressed interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
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