Pakistan and Oman have agreed to broaden their longstanding partnership, exchanging six agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation across a range of sectors. The agreements were exchanged as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, who is in Pakistan to co-chair the 8th session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
The exchange took place during the JMC session, with Shehbaz witnessing the signing of the documents, according to separate news releases issued by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Sayyid Badr signed the protocol recording the minutes of the 8th JMC session, an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports, and an MoU on records and archives.
The remaining three MoUs, covering information and broadcasting, information technology and telecommunications, and news exchange and media cooperation, were signed by the respective federal ministers. The agreements are intended to broaden collaboration in the covered fields and open further avenues for bilateral engagement.
During his meeting with the Omani foreign minister, Shehbaz highlighted the shared faith, geographical proximity, history, culture, and centuries-old people-to-people exchanges underpinning the two countries' ties. He described Oman as a brotherly country, an important maritime neighbour and a valuable partner in a strategically significant region.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the successful convening of the JMC session, saying it would provide a strong foundation for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. He also noted the convergence of views between Pakistan and Oman on regional and global issues and appreciated Muscat's principled emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes.
Sayyid Badr thanked the Pakistani government for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He agreed that the meeting would pave the way for enhanced cooperation across diverse sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The Omani foreign minister also appreciated Pakistan's sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful solutions to regional challenges. This diplomatic engagement marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to regional stability and economic growth.
Both nations have emphasized the importance of regular high-level interactions to ensure that the momentum generated by these agreements is maintained. The inclusion of media and IT sectors in the new agreements signals a modern approach to diplomacy, focusing on digital connectivity and information sharing.
Officials from both sides expressed optimism that these initiatives would yield tangible results for the citizens of both countries in the near future. As the JMC session concludes, the focus now shifts to the implementation phase, with working groups expected to monitor the progress of these six agreements.
The Pakistani leadership reiterated its resolve to continue working closely with Oman to explore further opportunities for investment and trade.