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Pakistan and Kuwait have agreed on a roadmap of engagements to upgrade bilateral relations in all sectors as Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah announced to resume granting visas to Pakistani families and businessmen after a decade-long suspension.
The Kuwaiti government took the decision during a meeting between Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in Kuwait City 0n Sunday (May 30). In 2011, Kuwait had banned work visas for Pakistan and despite efforts by previous governments, the restrictions could not be lifted.
In March 2017, the then government had also announced the lifting of the ban by Kuwait during the visit of the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, to the oil-rich state. Nevertheless, the decision was never implemented.
Pakistan, Kuwait agree to upgrade ties
The meeting held between Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah was attended by Ahmad’s Kuwaiti counterpart and Pakistani diplomatic staff wherein bilateral relations and concerns of mutual interests were mulled over.
During the meeting, it was also decided that Kuwait would issue technical visas for Pakistani workers in medical and oil fields. The Kuwaiti prime minister said that relations between the two countries spanned over seven decades and people of the countries had been enjoying relations based on love and trust.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, while thanking the Kuwaiti prime minister, said that after the decision of restoration of visas for Pakistani citizens, huge job opportunities would be available for Pakistani citizens in Kuwait.
The minister said that Pakistani families and business fraternity faced enormous problems with the ban on Kuwaiti visas, adding that Pakistani labourers played an important role in Kuwait’s early development.
He said that all Pakistani considered Kuwait as their second home, adding that with the lifting of the ban on a business visa, trade would also increase between the two countries. The huddled agreed to expand bilateral ties between two Muslim brotherly countries.
Pakistan, Kuwait relation: A brief history
Kuwait and Pakistan enjoy deep-rooted diplomatic relations based on the shared values and faith, economic, political, strategic and interests. Over the years since the inception of the relations, soon after the independence of Kuwait, bilateral ties are marked with mutual cooperation, trust, upholding stronger ties in the Muslim world and building regional support to fight the pressing issues.
Pakistan and Kuwait are members of numerous essential regional and international forums where both countries support each other on matters of national importance.
Diaspora an important pillar
One important pillar of the bilateral relations is diaspora living in the oil reach country who are a source of strength and support for both countries creating a bond of lasting togetherness. Pakistanis are one of the largest Diasporas living in Kuwait contributing towards the building of today’s State of Kuwait.
Pakistan transforming the economic outlook
Pakistan with its new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is transforming the country’s economic position through reaching out to global associates. Particularly Kuwait is an important ally of Pakistan in the Muslim world. Pakistan has played an important role in supporting Kuwait during the Gulf War in the 90s and later rebuilding the country.
Pakistan was part of the coalition against the invasion of Kuwait. Pakistani military officers and medical contingent supported Kuwaiti Army during the war. Pakistan’s military personnel also supported the mine-hunting operation of the UN in Kuwait. Pakistan helped Kuwait with rebuilding the country through manpower and institutional building.
Various areas of cooperation
There are a variety of areas where both the countries can continue building their cooperation and support. Kuwait has also unmitigated support to Pakistan to accomplish its ever-growing industrial demand of energy needs. In relations in the field of defense, both countries can equally help each other.
Kuwait can extremely invest in Pakistan’s banking and energy fields. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one more vital prospect for building bilateral partnerships. The oil-rich country can also take advantage of Pakistan’s growing armed hardware manufacturing industry.
Even though Kuwait and Pakistan share jointly benefited bilateral ties, however a room for further enhancement is still open to toughening bilateral ties.
PM Imran’s victory for Pakistan
According to statistics, Kuwait has a population of more than 1, 30,000 Pakistanis, making it the ninth-largest group of people from other countries. These Pakistani citizens are working in Kuwait in different fields, including science, health, banking and labor sectors.
The restoration of visas will help Pakistan to send its workers to the oil-rich country. Remittances form an essential segment of Pakistan’s economy. Furthermore, the new addition to its market will augment the country’s income. Pakistan had earned more than $24 billion in remittances in 2020.
Under an agreement signed between the two countries in 2021, Pakistan will send 7000 Pakistani medical professionals to Kuwait.
Finally, the restoration of family and business visas of Pakistanis by Kuwait, after the decade-long suspension was evidence of Prime Minister Imran Khan government’s best foreign policy.
