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Home/Research & Publications/Pakistan's Bilateral Relations/Pakistan–Italy

Pakistan–Italy Relations

Traditionally cordial relations with 15 government-to-government agreements; a visa waiver for diplomatic passports was signed in Rome in 2026 and labour mobility cooperation is expanding. Compiled by the IPDS Centre for European Studies from official sources. Last revised 5 November 2026.

15
Government-to-government agreements
21
University and think tank MoUs
6
Rounds of Bilateral Political Consultations
10,500
Italian work visas announced for Pakistan, 2026
Latest development →ChronologyAll countries A–Z
Latest development

Where Pakistan–Italy Relations Stand Now

Jun 2026

Pakistan's Ambassador Ali Javed and Italian Secretary General Foreign Affairs Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia signed an agreement in Rome abolishing visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports, to ease the exchange of official delegations. (MOFA Pakistan, Dawn)

Pakistan and Italy describe their relations as traditionally cordial and cooperative. The relationship is organised through Bilateral Political Consultations and a Strategic Engagement Plan, and rests on 15 agreements between the two governments and 21 memoranda of understanding between universities and think tanks. Recent work has focused on migration and labour mobility, trade and closer coordination at the United Nations and with the European Union.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Diplomatic Engagement

28 Feb 2025: The 6th round of Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Rome, led by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia. Pakistan invited Italy to the second Ministerial Review of the Pakistan-Italy Strategic Engagement Plan and both sides agreed to hold the 7th round in Pakistan. (MOFA Pakistan)

Jun 2026: Agreement to abolish visas for diplomatic passports signed in Rome. (MOFA Pakistan, Dawn)

Jul 2026: Ugo Ciarlatani was named Italy's new Ambassador to Islamabad. (ANSA)

Migration & Labour Mobility

25 Feb 2026: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi in Rome. Italy announced 10,500 work visas for skilled Pakistani workers and the two sides agreed to work together against illegal migration. (Dawn)

Institutional Links

2026: 15 agreements have been concluded between the two governments, in areas from tourism to culture and science and technology, and 21 MoUs exist between universities and think tanks. (MOFA Pakistan)

30 Jan 2025: Bilateral Consular Consultations were held in Islamabad. (MOFA Pakistan)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

MechanismStatus
Bilateral Political Consultations6th round in Rome on 28 February 2025; the 7th is due in Pakistan. (MOFA Pakistan)
Strategic Engagement PlanReviewed at ministerial level; Pakistan has invited Italy to hold the second Ministerial Review in Islamabad. (MOFA Pakistan)
Bilateral Consular ConsultationsHeld in Islamabad on 30 January 2025. (MOFA Pakistan)
Legal base

Agreements & Frameworks

YearAgreement
Jun 2026Agreement to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic passports. (MOFA Pakistan)
Timeline

Chronology

2025 to present · Deepening engagement

Political consultations, consular dialogue and migration cooperation gathered pace.

30 Jan 2025

Bilateral Consular Consultations in Islamabad. (MOFA Pakistan)

28 Feb 2025

6th Bilateral Political Consultations in Rome. (MOFA Pakistan)

Feb 2026

Interior ministers met in Rome; 10,500 work visas announced. (Dawn)

Jun 2026

Visa waiver for diplomatic passports signed. (MOFA Pakistan)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Pakistani diplomats need a visa for Italy?

An agreement signed in Rome in 2026 abolishes visa requirements for holders of diplomatic passports of both countries.

How many agreements have Pakistan and Italy signed?

15 agreements between the two governments, plus 21 MoUs between universities and think tanks, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.

Is Italy offering work visas to Pakistanis?

In February 2026 Italy announced 10,500 work visas for skilled Pakistani workers, following a meeting of the two interior ministers in Rome.

Sources & method

Sources & Methodology

Official records come first: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy pages, the partner government's own publications, and state news services. News reporting is cited only where no official text is published. Every entry links to its source. No Wikipedia.

How to cite: IPDS Centre for European Studies, “Pakistan–Italy Relations,” Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, last revised 5 November 2026, https://ipd.org.pk/research-publications/pakistan-italy-relations-tracker/

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More from the Centre for European Studies: Pakistan–United Kingdom · Pakistan–Germany · Pakistan–France · Pakistan–Netherlands · Pakistan–Belgium · Pakistan–Spain · Pakistan–Poland
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Pakistan–Italy relations at IPDS

This page is maintained by the IPDS Centre for European Studies and revised as new visits, agreements and data are published.

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