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.
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