Pakistan and Iraq have agreed to take concrete steps to expand bilateral cooperation, focusing on trade, banking links, and support for Pakistani pilgrims, following talks between President Asif Ali Zardari and Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani at the Government Palace.
The discussions highlighted the need to translate political goodwill into tangible economic and institutional outcomes, with both sides acknowledging that current trade volumes are below their potential. President Zardari underscored Pakistan’s readiness to expand collaboration in priority sectors, including information technology, agriculture and food security, construction, and pharmaceuticals. He also emphasized the importance of establishing direct banking channels to facilitate trade, business interactions, and pilgrim movements.
Pilgrim facilitation emerged as a key agenda item. President Zardari urged the early finalization of a memorandum of understanding on Zaireen management, improved immigration procedures, greater flexibility in emergency travel cases, and measures to address challenges faced by genuine pilgrims. These initiatives aim to enhance the experience and safety of Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq.
Defence cooperation was also reviewed, with President Zardari expressing satisfaction over ongoing training programmes and completed defence deliveries. He reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to strengthen defence collaboration in line with Iraq’s security needs and evolving requirements.
Economic and manpower cooperation was another focus area. President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s capacity to support Iraq’s reconstruction by providing skilled manpower, medical professionals, and technical expertise in sectors such as financial services and digital governance. He referred to the existing manpower transmission framework as a mechanism for structured, welfare-oriented deployment.
Discussions extended to private sector engagement, with both leaders encouraging participation in trade and health exhibitions in Baghdad and promoting regular coordination between chambers of commerce. Virtual exchanges and business-to-business interactions were suggested as tools to strengthen economic ties and institutional collaboration.
Both leaders stressed the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges and utilizing institutional channels to advance bilateral engagement. President Zardari thanked the Iraqi government for its hospitality and congratulated the Iraqi people on completing the parliamentary election process, wishing them a smooth political transition and continuity in development efforts.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani welcomed Pakistan’s proposals and appreciated its ongoing support. The Pakistani delegation accompanying the President included Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iraq.
The discussions signal a renewed commitment by both countries to deepen trade, investment, and people-to-people ties, while addressing practical issues that facilitate smoother economic and cultural engagement between Pakistan and Iraq.
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