Pakistan, Croatia to expedite opening of visa facility in Islamabad

Pakistan and Croatia are working to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday, standing alongside Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman, a move aimed at sparing Pakistani applicants the need to travel to a third country to obtain visas.

Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, Dar said, “We are working together to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility in Islamabad,” Dar said, adding that the move would provide “welcome relief” to Pakistani applicants.

Dar said Pakistan had also begun preparations to seek re-entry into the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework ahead of the new regulations due to take effect in January 2027. He said the two sides also agreed to continue work on legal pathways for skilled Pakistani workers while combating human smuggling and irregular migration.

The deputy prime minister said Pakistan and Croatia reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He said the Croatian side appreciated Pakistan’s role at the UN Security Council, including its efforts to strengthen multilateralism and advance consensus on peaceful dispute resolution.

Dar said he briefed the Croatian delegation on the situations in Jammu and Kashmir, Gaza, Afghanistan, and the Indus Waters Treaty, while also outlining Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran.

He said the Croatian side appreciated Pakistan’s mediation role in the US-Iran conflict, and both countries reaffirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.

Speaking at the press conference, Radman said the visit would help intensify bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, investment, and new sectors.

“I hope that this visit will help us intensify our relations, enhance our trade and investment, and explore new avenues of cooperation,” he said. He identified pharmaceuticals, healthcare, defence, information technology, tourism, and food production among the sectors with significant potential for collaboration.

The Croatian foreign minister said Zagreb wanted Pakistani citizens to be able to submit visa applications in Pakistan and welcomed Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate the opening of a Croatian visa processing facility. He also praised Pakistan’s active role at the UN Security Council and its diplomatic efforts that resulted in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Radman also invited Dar to visit Croatia and attend next year’s Dubrovnik Forum, expressing confidence that the two countries would continue to strengthen their longstanding friendly relations.

The Croatian minister also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where both agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and other sectors during talks in Islamabad, as the two countries sought to deepen ties, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Sharif welcomed Radman and his delegation, saying Pakistan and Croatia enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect, goodwill, and shared interests.

The prime minister expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation in trade and investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture, tourism, and skilled manpower. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also attended the meeting.

Sharif conveyed his best wishes to Zoran Milanović and Andrej Plenković and extended invitations to both leaders to undertake official visits to Pakistan.

Radman thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome, describing his visit to Islamabad as an honour. He also praised Pakistan and its leadership for their role in promoting regional peace and reaffirmed his government’s desire to further expand relations with Pakistan across all areas of mutual interest.

Meeting with Ishaq Dar

FM Dar received the Croatian minister and the Croatian delegation before the two sides held delegation-level talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on X, the two sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, labour mobility, visa facilitation, education, defence, climate change, tourism, infrastructure, and information technology.

They also exchanged views on various aspects of Pakistan-European Union cooperation, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The FO said both sides recognised that “connectivity lies at the heart of sustainable development, regional stability, and global economic integration” and discussed opportunities for collaboration between the ports of Pakistan and Croatia.

Pakistan and Croatia also agreed to hold Bilateral Political Consultations later this year or in early 2027. The Foreign Office described Radman’s visit as “an important step in strengthening relations between the two countries.”

Earlier, Radman arrived in Islamabad on Thursday on a one-day official visit as the two sides are set to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

According to the statement, Radman will hold delegation-level talks with FM Dar and is also scheduled to call on the country’s leadership.

He was received at the airport by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General (Europe-I).

In a statement, the FO said Pakistan “looks forward to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Croatia in areas of mutual interest”.

The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral ties and explore avenues for expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest.