ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Oman exchanged six agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation across several sectors.
The agreements were exchanged as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, who is visiting Pakistan to co-chair the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
Shehbaz witnessed the signing of the documents during the JMC session, according to separate statements 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 three documents: the protocol recording the minutes of the eighth JMC session, an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports, and an MoU on records and archives.
Agreements Cover Media, IT and Telecommunications
The remaining three MoUs cover information and broadcasting, information technology and telecommunications, and news exchange and media cooperation.
The respective federal ministers for information and broadcasting and IT and telecommunications signed the documents.
The agreements aim to broaden collaboration in the designated sectors and create further opportunities for bilateral engagement.
Shehbaz Highlights Longstanding Ties
During his meeting with the Omani foreign minister, Shehbaz welcomed Sayyid Badr and his delegation. He highlighted the shared faith, geographical proximity, history, culture and centuries-old people-to-people exchanges that underpin relations between the two countries.
The prime minister described Oman as a brotherly country, an important maritime neighbour and a valuable partner in a strategically significant region.
He expressed satisfaction over the successful convening of the JMC session, saying it would provide a strong foundation for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and deepening bilateral engagement.
Shehbaz also noted that Pakistan and Oman share views on several regional and global issues. He appreciated Muscat’s emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes.
Oman Appreciates Pakistan’s Diplomatic Efforts
Sayyid Badr thanked the Pakistani government for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also welcomed the successful holding of the JMC session.
The Omani foreign minister agreed that the meeting would help strengthen cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote peaceful solutions to regional challenges.
Dar is co-chairing the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission with Sayyid Badr.
