Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Pakistan Seals Diplomatic Visa Waiver With Somalia as U.S. Coordination Targets Fake Visa Networks

The announcements link a rare Somali visit to new security ties with plans for joint U.S.–Pakistan operations against visa‑fraud networks.

Overview

  • President Asif Ali Zardari witnessed Pakistan and Somalia sign a visa-free arrangement for diplomatic passport holders during Interior Minister Ali Yusuf’s Islamabad visit.
  • Pakistan and Somalia agreed on a joint strategy against terrorism and extremism, expanding cooperation in policing, training, border management and disaster management.
  • Pakistan offered Somalia NADRA assistance on identity and civil registration systems and opened talks on extradition, mutual legal assistance and counter‑narcotics collaboration.
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and U.S. Ambassador Natalie Baker agreed to launch coordinated operations under comprehensive SOPs to dismantle fake and fraudulent visa networks.
  • Both sides moved to strengthen pre‑immigration clearance and police training, as Naqvi touted a zero‑tolerance stance on agent mafias and a government‑reported 47% drop in illegal immigration.