The 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi concluded with a series of strategic agreements aimed at strengthening economic ties.
It was co-chaired by Senator Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s foreign minister.
One of the most impactful developments was the signing of an agreement for mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. However, the broader cooperation discussed and agreed upon indicates vast employment possibilities for skilled and semi-skilled Pakistani workers.
Besides easing official travel, the two countries sealed agreements focused on expanding partnerships in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, investment, and manpower. These sectors are set to generate thousands of new roles across the UAE, offering Pakistanis access to employment in high-growth industries like IT, finance, healthcare, climate resilience, and aviation.
A major outcome was the establishment of procedural frameworks, including working groups and regular reciprocal visits, ensuring follow-up on commitments. This includes measures to boost bilateral cooperation in trade, banking, railways, food security, defence, higher education and information technology.
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This was the first JMC session held in 13 years, with the last one in Islamabad in November 2013. Dar arrived in the UAE on Monday to lead the Pakistani delegation, showing Pakistan’s keenness to renew momentum in UAE relations.
A preparatory working group led by SAPM Tariq Bajwa and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh met prior to the official session to review the entire scope of bilateral relations. Their joint review helped lay the foundation for actionable, employment-oriented cooperation.
This new wave of strategic collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE is not just diplomatic symbolism—it carries real weight for the average Pakistani job seeker. With the UAE aggressively pursuing a knowledge-based economy and expanding its digital footprint, Pakistan’s human capital can play a crucial role. The MoU, while offering diplomatic travel ease, also signals a wider acceptance of Pakistani expertise in high-demand industries. For skilled workers, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, the UAE could now be more accessible than ever before. The upcoming 13th session in Pakistan is expected to solidify these opportunities further.
