President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, and reiterated commitment to Iraq’s stability, prosperity and democratic progress. 

The president made these remarks during a meeting with Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the Baghdad Palace on Sunday.  

President Zardari congratulated the Iraqi leadership and people on the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections and expressed best wishes for the smooth formation of the new government.

“Both leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the 9th session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission and parliamentary interactions,” the President Secretariat’s media wing said in a press release.

The president noted that current levels of bilateral trade did not reflect the true potential of Pakistan-Iraq economic, cultural and security relations and highlighted opportunities for expanding trade, investment, agriculture and defence production sectors besides information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and related industries.  

He also underscored the importance of business-to-business engagement, reciprocal business delegations and the establishment of direct banking channels to facilitate trade and commercial activity.

President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development efforts through the provision of skilled and semi-skilled manpower under the existing Memorandum of Understanding on manpower transmission.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s capacity in medical services, financial expertise and digital governance, and expressed readiness to share technical experience, including in secure data management, to support institutional capacity-building in Iraq. 

Senator Sherry Rehman; Senator Saleem Mandviwala; Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan, other senior officials and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iraq, accompanied the president.

The president also requested improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope for early finalisation and implementation of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Zaireen Management, aimed at ensuring orderly travel and addressing longstanding issues related to religious visits. 

He also expressed his firm resolve to work with the Iraqi government to stop illegal entry and overstays of those Pakistanis who violate Iraqi law. 

Both presidents expressed their resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and narco trade and enhance bilateral cooperation. 

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation across political, economic and social domains, and agreed to maintain close coordination at regional and multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the OIC, on issues of mutual interest. 

The Iraqi president appreciated Pakistan’s role in uniting the Islamic Ummah and the historical support for the people of Palestine.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Palace, President Asif Ali Zardari was accorded a guard of honour.

An official welcoming ceremony was held, followed by a one-on-one meeting between the two Presidents and delegation-level talks.