Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Oman’s General Sultan Mohammed Al Nu’amani, a minister of the country’s Royal Office, discussed strengthening bilateral ties and resolving visa-related issues, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Thursday.
Pakistan and Oman maintain steady trade relations, focused on oil, gas, textiles, food products, and fisheries. Oman is a key supplier of energy to Pakistan, while Pakistan exports rice, textiles and agricultural goods.
Naqvi met Al Nu’amani in Muscat where the two discussed the overall regional situation and stressed the need to enhance mutual communication to further strengthen their bilateral ties, Pakistan’s interior ministry said in a statement.
“The two leaders discussed Pakistan-Oman relations and measures to resolve visa issues faced by Pakistani citizens,” the interior ministry said.
Naqvi noted that Oman and Pakistan are bound by “deep religious and cultural ties,” adding that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are employed in Oman and contribute significantly to its economy.
“He said that facilitating visa procedures would allow more skilled workers from Pakistan to work in Oman,” the ministry said.
Al Nu’amani noted that Pakistan and Oman both share a brotherly and historic relationship, the ministry said.
Pakistan has sought to resolve visa-related issues with several countries in recent months, hoping to send more Pakistani workers abroad. Skilled and unskilled laborers from Pakistan send remittances to their relatives back home, which is vital for cash-strapped Pakistan.