‘When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway. My goalis to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner,’ says H E Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, the new ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, in an exclusive interview with Anirban Ray. Excerpts:

What is your immediate focus as the ambassador of Pakistan to Oman?

Oman and its people have been incredibly welcoming. Since arriving here, I have experienced an outpouring of love and affection. It has been a wonderful experience and, more importantly, a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan-Oman relations.

For Pakistan, Oman holds significant importance – not just as a key country in the region, but also as our only maritime neighbour. This gives our relationship a distinct and strategic dimension. When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway.

To describe the goal of my mission here in one phrase: it is to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner.

I’m pleased to share that in the short span of three months since my arrival, we’ve already witnessed a number of official visits between Pakistan and Oman. In March, we hosted a very successful visit from Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, who spent four to five days in Oman. During his stay, he held several important meetings – not just with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion – but also with other Omani ministers. The visit included a trip to Sohar Port, and featured a B2B exchange session between the Pakistani business delegation and Omani entrepreneurs. It was an extremely fruitful visit.

Could you share some of your main achievements, so far?

In the defense sector, we’ve also had significant engagements. Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff visited Oman, and our naval ships, which regularly dock at Omani ports, have made two visits already, with another one scheduled soon.

Beyond that, we’ve hosted delegations from the health sector and the education sector of Pakistan along with several business delegations – more visits are planned in the coming months. Overall, a very healthy momentum has developed in bilateral engagements. From the Omani side as well, there have been important visits. Notably, the Chief of Omani Royal Navy and other senior officials have visited Pakistan. At present, senior officials from Oman’s Anti-Narcotics Bureau are in Pakistan participating in a major conference.

Above all, I must highlight a key moment that set the tone for this growing relationship – the Prime Minister of Pakistan had a very warm and productive Eid telephone call with His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman. That conversation has played a pivotal role in generating strong momentum for deeper bilateral cooperation.

How many visas were issued to Omanis to travel to Pakistan last year? What were the main purposes?

Pakistan and Oman share a rich and deeply rooted history. Our two nations are connected not only by geography and culture, but also by a significant shared demography. In fact, around 30 per cent of Oman’s population traces its ancestry back to Balochistan in Pakistan, creating strong familial and ancestral ties between our peoples. From January 1 to December 31, 2024, the Pakistan Embassy issued approximately 5,000 visas to Omani residents. A large proportion of these – especially those issued to the Baloch community – were family visit visas.

In addition to family visas, we also issued medical visas, providing access to treatment for those in need, as well as visas for official delegations, tourists and business travelers, further strengthening our bilateral cooperation on multiple fronts.

Any new plans in the pipeline for 2025?

My current focus is to ensure that the Pakistan Social Club becomes active this year. We already have an interim committee in place and are hopeful that within this year, the Pakistan Social Club will resume its activities. This revival will be a significant boost to our ongoing efforts to promote Pakistani culture in Oman. Such cultural events/performances not only entertain our community but also serve as a bridge to present Pakistan’s culture and rich heritage to the Omani people.

Any initiatives for Pakistan School Muscat?

People often say that Pakistan School Muscat (PSM) is a true asset for our community, and I’m very pleased to share that this year marks its 50th anniversary – a golden year in its journey. Over the decades, PSM has grown into a massive educational setup and a significant institution in Oman. Currently, more than 8,000 students are enrolled across its campuses, and what makes it even more special is that it enjoys a multinational enrollment, reflecting its broad appeal and inclusive environment. Due to overwhelming demand, the school is compelled to run evening classes while we are also in the process of building a new international school in Mabela.

Another key initiative I’ve taken, in collaboration with the school board, is to launch the Pakistan School Muscat Alumni Association. Over the past many decades, thousands of students have graduated from PSM and are successful professionals – they are a valuable asset.

What are significant trade exchanges between the two countries?

Oman is an important trade partner for Pakistan, and I’m pleased to share that our bilateral trade crossed the US$1bn mark for the first-time last year. This is a significant milestone in our economic relationship. Currently, Oman enjoys trade surplus with Pakistan, primarily because we import oil and oil-related products from Oman. These imports form a major part of the trade volume. However, Pakistan is also making strong contributions to this relationship by exporting over US$200mn worth of goods to Oman.

Our main exports include rice, meat, vegetables, fruits, maize, and corn—items that are part of Pakistan’s agricultural strength and are highly valued in the Omani market. In addition to these traditional products, one noteworthy development is the growing export of minerals from Pakistan to Oman. In March, a successful business delegation from Pakistan visited Oman. This visit featured productive B2B sessions with Omani counterparts. Building on that momentum, we are now planning another business delegation visit in May.

How good are the cultural relationships between the two countries?

Pakistan and Oman share a deep cultural bond, rooted in a common civilisational heritage. This shared history creates a strong foundation for cultural exchanges, which are an important aspect of our bilateral relationship. I am personally committed to promoting and strengthening these exchanges to further deepen the understanding between our peoples.

We hope to welcome cultural troupes from Oman in Pakistan to showcase Omani culture and vice versa. In addition to culture, sports exchanges are another promising area of growing cooperation. Just a few days ago, the Omani National Hockey Team visited Pakistan and participated in a full match series. This was a major development and played a significant role in the revival of international hockey in Pakistan.

Cricket, which is a passion in Pakistan, also presents great opportunities for engagement. Given the large South Asian diaspora in Oman, there is already a vibrant environment here that supports and encourages cricket. This makes it a natural area of collaboration between the two countries. There is also scope for cooperation in traditional sports like tent pegging, and other adventure sports which can promote tourism on both sides.

Photos by VK Shafeer