Pakistan - Middle East Relationship News

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan is organising Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum scheduled to be held on January 14, 2026 in Riyadh, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the Federation of Saudi Chambers, sources told Business Recorder.

The Forum aims to showcase Pakistan’s most promising investment-ready Joint Venture (JV) opportunities to leading Saudi businesses and investors.

In this regard, Special Investment Facilitation Council has requested Ministry of Energy (Power Division) to provide the requisite information about the companies by November 30, 2025, to enable timely screening, consolidation and preparation of sectoral portfolios for presentation to Saudi partners: ten private sector expansion /joint venture projects in the power sector.
 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework between the two countries.

“This framework is based on the two countries’ shared economic interests and reaffirms their mutual desire to strengthen trade and investment relations to serve their common interests,” the statement said.

As part of the framework, according to the PMO, multiple strategic and high-impact projects will be discussed in the economic, trade, investment, and development fields that “will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two governments”.

“It will also enhance the pivotal role of the private sector and increase trade exchange between the two countries.

“Priority sectors include energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and food security,” read the statement.

The PMO further said both countries were studying different joint economic projects, including signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the electricity interconnection project between the Kingdom and Pakistan, in addition to signing an MoU for cooperation in the field of energy between the two nations.
 
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So many calls same day 🤨
 
A lot of geopolitics occurring and Pakistan is siding with Saudi Arabia, as expected.
However, the UAE now being a vassal state of Israel and doing its bidding, won't be winning any favours from anyone in the region much, everyone on edge as anything can happen in geopolitics
Must tread carefully for Pakistan, the mideast is on edge now. Shit can escalate at any time
 

Pakistan, UAE to sign agreement on ‘pre-immigration clearance’ in bid to ease process​


News Desk
January 13, 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to sign a formal agreement on “pre-immigration clearance” for Pakistani nationals visiting the Gulf country, said a statement by the Ministry of Interior.

The agreement, when signed, will enable Pakistani nationals to bypass lengthy immigration processes upon arrival in the UAE.

The decision was made in a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a delegation from the UAE, led by Director General of Customs and Port Security Ahmed Bin Lahij Al Falasi, the press release said.

“The immigration process for the passengers will be completed in Pakistan before travel,” Naqvi was quoted as saying.

He added that with the implementation of the system, Pakistani nationals will be able to bypass lengthy immigration processes upon arrival in the UAE.

“They will be able to exit the airport directly like domestic passengers,” said Naqvi.

The interior minister detailed that the system will be launched as a pilot project, with the first phase set to begin in Karachi. He did not mention any date for the commencement of the pilot project.

Naqvi voiced optimism that the new system will “facilitate travel and improve the overall travel experience”.

The UAE delegation vowed to cooperate during the implementation of the initiative, labelling it as “beneficial” for both countries.

“Relevant authorities will coordinate with each other to finalise the administrative and technical aspects of the pilot project,” the statement read.

It added that after the pilot phase in Karachi, the system will be expanded to other cities as well.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Federal Secretary for Interior Khurram Agha.
 
Restrictions on UAE visas

The development comes as Pakistanis, in the past year, have faced increased difficulties in obtaining visas to the UAE.

In November 2025, Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry said that the UAE had not been issuing visas to Pakistanis.

The additional secretary made this revelation during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, further stating that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had “stopped short of imposing a ban on the Pakistani passport”.

Visa rejections were also faced by Pakistani citizens in early July last year, which prompted Naqvi to raise the issue with his UAE counterpart.

In a meeting held the same month, the UAE Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan assured Naqvi of “full support” in expediting visas for Pakistani citizens as the Pakistani minister sought “relaxation in visa policies”.

The UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, in April had also announced that visa issues had been resolved and Pakistanis could now avail a five-year visa.

The announcement came after the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, in January 2025, was told that some visas to the UAE had been “unofficially closed”.

Overseas Employment Promoter Aisam Baig had said the above, adding that the UAE government had reservations that Pakistanis on “visit visas, not work visas”, resort to begging in the country.

However, the committee’s chairman, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, had said there were “no restrictions on work visas” for Pakistanis travelling to the Gulf country.
 

Talks held on defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, broader regional trust needed: Turkish FM​


Reuters
January 15, 2026

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkiye on Jan 15, 2026. — Reuters

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that talks have been held on a possible defence pact with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, but no agreement has been signed.

Responding at a press conference in Istanbul to a question about whether there might be such an alliance, Fidan pointed to what he said was a need for broader regional cooperation and trust.

He added that regional issues could be resolved if the relevant countries would “be sure of each other”.

Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported last week that Turkiye was seeking to join the Pak-Saudi defence pact signed in September 2025.

The report said Turkiye viewed the pact “as a way of strengthening security and deterrents when there are questions over the reliability of the US, which has strong military ties with all three countries, and President Donald Trump’s commitment” to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Saudi Arabia brings financial clout, Pakistan has nuclear capability, ballistic missiles and manpower, while Turkiye has the military experience and has developed a defence industry, Bloomberg quoted Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist with Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, as saying.

Asked about reports of Istanbul eyeing such a pact, Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj told BBC Urdu: “From a strategic point of view, Turkiye, China, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan are close friendly countries of Pakistan, and there is a close relationship with them in terms of strategic policy.”
 

Pakistan’s strategic geographic connectivity complements Bahrain’s financial expertise: President Zardari​


News Desk
January 15, 2026

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President Asif Ali Zardari is briefed ahead of a meeting with the Economic Development Board of Bahrain in Manama on January 15, 2026. —President Office

President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a four-day visit to Bahrain, highlighted on Thursday that Pakistan’s strategic geographic connectivity, linking South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East, complemented the Gulf country’s financial expertise and regulatory framework.

He expressed these views while addressing a reception at the headquarters of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board (EDB), which is an investment promotion agency, a statement by the President’s Office said.

In his address, the president underscored Pakistan’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation, investment partnerships and institutional linkages with Bahrain, the statement said.

He “noted that the Economic Development Board plays a central role in shaping Bahrain’s economic strategy, attracting foreign investment and supporting diversification across key sectors”.

The president further observed that the board’s close coordination with government institutions and the private sector had helped Bahrain strengthen competitiveness, promote innovation and create a predictable and enabling environment for investors.
 

In meeting with Bahrain’s king, President Zardari reaffirms commitment to deepening trade, defence ties​

News Desk
January 14, 2026

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President Asif Ali Zardari writes in the visitors’ book at Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama, Bahrain on January 14. — PID

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President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama, Bahrain on January 14. — PID

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King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain confers the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class on President Asif Ali Zardari at Al-Qudaibiva Palace in Manama, Bahrain on January 14. — PID

President Asif Ali Zardari met with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Wednesday in Manama, with the former reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation between the two countries across political, economic, defence and cultural fields.

The president had arrived in Bahrain’s capital on Tuesday on a four-day state visit.

A post on the Presidency’s X account said Zardari was accorded a guard of honour upon his arrival at the royal residence, Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where the meeting was held.

“Talks covered trade and investment, defence [cooperation], support for the Pakistani community, and regional and global issues,” the post said.
 

President Zardari to embark on 4-day official visit to UAE​


News Desk
January 26, 2026

President Asif Ali Zardari will depart on a four-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, according to the Foreign Office (FO).

The president, accompanied by a high-level delegation, will undertake the visit from January 26 to 29, the FO statement said.

“During the visit, the president will hold high-level meetings with the UAE’s leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral ties, especially on the domains of trade and economic people-to-people ties.”

The discussion will also focus on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the FO added.

It highlighted that Zardari’s trip, which follows the brief visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan last month, “reflects the deep brotherly ties between the two nations and reaffirms commitment to transforming the strong friendship between Pakistan and the UAE into a mutually rewarding partnership”.

During the UAE president’s first official visit to Pakistan on December 26, the leadership of the two countries held “substantive talks” focused on further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Al Nahyan also met in Rahim Yar Khan on December 30, where they both discussed ways to enhance cooperation in a wide range of sectors.

On January 13, the two countries agreed to sign a formal agreement on “pre-immigration clearance” for Pakistani nationals visiting the Gulf country.
 


FM Dar stresses importance of dialogue, diplomacy in call with Iran’s Araghchi​

News Desk
January 29, 2026

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday.

The Foreign Office (FO) posted on X today that the two foreign ministers had spoken on the phone, during which Dar expressed concern over the evolving regional situation.

The foreign minister “underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable way forward”, the FO said.

It added that both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.
 

PM Shehbaz, Iranian president discuss regional situation​

  • The two leaders also reflect on close and fraternal ties between neighbours
BR Web Desk
January 29, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday, during which the two leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and diplomatic engagement to promote peace, security and development in the region.

The two leaders also reflected on the close and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, rooted in shared history, culture, and faith.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular high-level engagements and consultations through bilateral institutional mechanisms, with a view to further strengthening cooperation across the full spectrum of bilateral relations, the statement said.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
 
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Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Nur Khan, Chaklala, Rawalpindi, with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev onboard.

PAF F-16 Fighting Falcon and JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft escorted the VIP flight in Pakistani airspace.

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