[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari came home on Wednesday after a three-day trip to the Republic of Iraq, accompanied by many Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff members and others.
According to PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi, the primary goal of his visit was to develop relations between Pakistan and Iraq so that Pakistanis might benefit from economic collaboration, simpler travel, and security cooperation.
“In terms of economic benefits, Iraq is a major oil exporter at a time when energy prices are causing problems for people across Pakistan, and Iraq also offers employment opportunities for Pakistanis in many sectors,” according to the statement.
On Monday, Bilawal signed an MOU to promote business cooperation between Iraq and Pakistan, as well as to establish a new forum for private sector engagement between the two nations, which will expand income-generating opportunities for Pakistani workers and company owners.
“There is enormous potential to increase trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq,” Bilawal said, adding that “the Pakistani workforce is renowned worldwide for their efficiency, skill set, and determination.”
It also noted that Iraq is home to the bulk of the world’s Shia pilgrimage sites, as well as numerous prominent Sunni sites, and Bilawal outlined certain measures that will make future pilgrimage to Iraq easier and less expensive for Pakistani pilgrims.
FM @BBhuttoZardari accompanied by Deputy PM & FM of Iraq @Fuad_Husseein jointly performed the groundbreaking of the new Pakistan Embassy complex in #Iraq today. #PakFMinIraq
🇵🇰🤝🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/YIg1kTSqCW
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 6, 2023
“My people hold the holy sites in Iraq in high regard.” “We hope that more Pakistanis will have the opportunity to visit these places,” the minister stated.
On the subject of security cooperation, Bilawal drew parallels between the efforts of Iraqis and Pakistanis in dealing with terrorism, and vowed to increase collaboration in the future to prevent violence against innocent populations.
Overall, both the Pakistani delegation and the Iraqi hosts praised the visit’s huge potential and real impact. The trip included discussions with Iraq’s president, prime minister, foreign minister, and interior minister, as well as the speaker of the Iraqi parliament and the president of the Al-Hikmet party.
Bilawal also visited with religious leaders, including Sheikh Bashir Al-Najafi, the Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
