Islamabad: Pakistan and Somalia have signed an agreement abolishing visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders. President Asif Ali Zardari witnessed the signing ceremony in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, during a meeting with Somalia's Minister of Interior, Ali Yousuf, President Zardari expressed Pakistan's desire to strengthen ties with African states, including Somalia. He highlighted Pakistan's commitment to engaging with Somalia and emphasized the importance of closer collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

The President reiterated Pakistan's dedication to regional and international efforts to combat transnational crime and narcotics trafficking. The Somali Minister praised Pakistan as a reliable partner and brotherly nation, recalling the sacrifices of Pakistani peacekeepers during UN missions in Somalia in the 1990s, where Pakistani personnel lost their lives serving under the United Nations flag.