President Asif Ali Zardari has met Iraqi President Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid in Baghdad, pledging deeper trade and investment ties and better facilities for the tens of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims who visit Iraq each year.

The meeting took place at the Baghdad Palace on Sunday, during President Zardari's five-day official visit to Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi president. He arrived in Iraq on Saturday, and was accorded a guard of honour on arrival at the palace, where an official welcoming ceremony was held before a one-on-one meeting between the two presidents and delegation-level talks. President Rashid also hosted a lunch in honour of President Zardari and his delegation.

Support for Iraq's sovereignty and stability

President Zardari congratulated the Iraqi leadership and people on the successful conduct of parliamentary elections and conveyed best wishes for the smooth formation of a new government. He reaffirmed Pakistan's firm support for Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to Iraq's stability, prosperity and democratic progress.

The two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges, including the ninth session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission and parliamentary interactions.

Trade below its true potential

President Zardari noted that current levels of bilateral trade do not reflect the true potential of the two countries' economic, cultural and security relations. He highlighted opportunities for expanding trade and investment, as well as cooperation in agriculture, defence production, information technology, construction and pharmaceuticals.

He also stressed the importance of business-to-business engagement, the exchange of trade delegations and the establishment of direct banking channels to make trade and commercial activity easier.

Help with reconstruction and manpower

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

Better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims

The president also raised the position of Pakistani pilgrims, known as zaireen, who travel to Iraq to visit revered sites in Najaf and Karbala. He requested improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope for the early finalisation and implementation of a proposed memorandum of understanding on zaireen management, aimed at ensuring orderly travel and addressing longstanding issues around religious visits.

President Zardari also assured Iraqi authorities of Pakistan's cooperation in curbing illegal entry and overstays by Pakistani nationals who violate Iraqi law. Earlier this month, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iraqi counterpart, General Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, had agreed to strengthen coordination on security and the regulated management of Pakistani pilgrims.

Joint stand against terrorism and narcotics

Both presidents expressed their resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and the narcotics trade, and to enhance bilateral cooperation in those areas. They also agreed to maintain close coordination at regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, on issues of mutual interest.

President Rashid appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting unity within the Islamic Ummah and its historical support for the Palestinian people.

President Zardari was accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Governor of Punjab, Sharjeel Inam Memon, senior provincial minister of Sindh, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, provincial minister of Sindh, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, former chairman of the Senate, and Pakistan's ambassador to Iraq.

Sources: Press Information Department, Government of Pakistan and WE News English