Pakistan enjoys
cordial and brotherly relations with the State of Kuwait. The diplomatic
relations between the two countries were established in 1963. The Kuwaitis
acknowledge with appreciation the assistance provided by Pakistan during Iraqi
invasion of Kuwait in 1991. This year, both countries are celebrating 60th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The bilateral
relations are deep rooted in shared faith and values, identity of views; and
convergence of interests. The relation has a sustained history of standing by
each other in testing times and supporting each other at various international
and regional fora. Kuwait extended much needed support to Pakistan for the
former's exit from FATF Grey List. Kuwait also provides Pakistan oil on
deferred payments. During Covid pandemic, Pakistan helped Kuwait by sending its
medical professionals (while Indian, Phillipino and others were leaving
Kuwait). Since then, over 3000 Pakistani healthcare professionals including
doctors, nurses and medical technicians are serving there. The two countries
share common perception on most of the international and regional issues,
including Palestine, Kashmir (at OIC forum) as well as raising voice against
Islamophobia. On India's illegal actions in IIOJ&K, since 5th August 2019,
Kuwait being non-permanent member of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC)
and an important member of the OIC, supported Pakistan's position at the two
fora.
The
relationship has been marked by the numerous high level visits between the two
countries. At the leadership level, the former Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al
Ahmed Al Jaber Al-Sabah, paid his first State visit to Pakistan on 19-20 June
2006. Former Kuwaiti Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Jabir Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-
Sabah visited Pakistan on 10-11 November 2013 on invitation of the then Prime
Minister. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid a two-day official visit to
Kuwait on 6-7 March 2017. The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi visited
Kuwait in October 2020 to condole the demise of late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad
Al Jaber Al Sabah. Recently, the Amir of the State of Kuwait accepted the President's
invitation to visit Pakistan. At the Foreign Ministers' level, in recent times
the former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited Kuwait on 18-19 May
2019 at the invitation of his counterpart, H.E Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad
Al-Sabah in order to address the issue of visa restrictions on Pakistani
nationals in place since 2011.
The former
Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Mohammed-al-Sabah visited
Pakistan on 18-19 March 2021 at invitation of the former Foreign Minister. The
former Kuwaiti Foreign Minister again visited Islamabad during 17th
Extraordinary Session of OIC-CFM in December 2021 and then at 48thSession of
OIC- CFM in March 2022.
Both the
countries Signed visa abolition agreement (diplomatic and official passports only)
on 11 November 2013 at Islamabad.
The two
countries have established Institutional Mechanisms of cooperation including
Bilateral Political Consultations (3rd round held in Islamabad on 27 January
2021) and Joint Ministerial Commission (4th session held in Islamabad in
September 2018). Next session of both mechanisms will be convened in last
quarter of this year on mutually agreed dates.
As far as
bilateral trade between the two countries is concerned, it stood at US$ 2.4
billion in FY 2021-22. Investments from Kuwait during FY-2021-22 stood at US$
45.6 million.
Kuwait hosts
approximately 100,000 Pakistani nationals, as per figures given by Kuwaiti
authorities in February 2021. They remitted US$ 934 million in FY 2021-22.
To commemorate
the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Pakistan and Kuwait, Pakistan Post is issuing a postage stamp of Rs. 30/=
denomination on 20th February 2024.
