Zardari meets with Iraqi leaders and promises joint fight against extremism, terrorism and drugs
President Asif Ali Zardari shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart, Dr Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, at the Palace in Baghdad. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Iraq have expressed their determination to fight extremism, terrorism and narcotics trafficking while enhancing bilateral cooperation.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a five-day visit to Iraq, met Iraqi President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid at the Baghdad Palace on Sunday.
Zardari congratulated the Iraqi leaders and people on the successful holding of the parliamentary elections and expressed his best wishes for the smooth formation of the new government.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue deepening bilateral cooperation in the political, economic and social fields.
They agreed to maintain close coordination in regional and multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on issues of mutual interest.
“Both leaders reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum generated by the recent high-level exchanges, including the ninth session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission and parliamentary interactions,” the press release said.
Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Iraq’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, and reiterated its commitment to Iraq’s stability, prosperity and democratic progress.
The President noted that current levels of bilateral trade do not reflect the true potential of economic, cultural and security relations between Pakistan and Iraq and highlighted opportunities to expand trade, investment, agriculture and defense production sectors, in addition to information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and related industries.
He also underlined the importance of business-to-business engagement, reciprocal trade 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 by providing skilled and semi-skilled manpower as per the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Manpower Transmission.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s capacity in medical services, financial expertise and digital governance, and expressed its willingness to share technical expertise, including in secure data management, to support institutional capacity development in Iraq.
The President also called for better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope that the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on the management of Zaireen, aimed at ensuring orderly travel and addressing long-standing issues related to religious visits, would be finalized and implemented as soon as possible.
He also expressed his firm determination to work with the Iraqi government to stop the illegal entry and overstay of those Pakistanis who violate Iraqi law.
The Iraqi president appreciated Pakistan’s role in unifying the Islamic Ummah and historic support to the people of Palestine.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the palace, President Asif Ali Zardari received a guard of honour.
An official welcome ceremony was held, followed by a one-on-one meeting between the two presidents and talks at the delegation level.
President Rashid also hosted a luncheon in honor of Zardari and his delegation.
The president expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Iraqi leaders and people and described Baghdad as a historic city that symbolizes civilization and resilience.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, former Senate President Nayyer Bukhari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iraq are part of the presidential delegation.
Solidarity with Iran
Zardari also expressed his solidarity with the brotherly Islamic country Iran during his flight to Iraq.
According to the Presidential House, when the president’s plane entered Iranian airspace while en route from Islamabad to Baghdad, it sent a message of goodwill to the Iranian leadership: the Iranian supreme leader and the president.
Zardari stressed the need for mutual respect and promotion of relations in the region.
Later, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam warmly welcomed the gesture and described it as a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship, mutual respect and solidarity between the two brotherly countries.
With APP input
