ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari will embark on a five-day official visit to Iraq from Saturday, at the invitation of Iraqi President Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid.
The visit highlights the longstanding and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iraq, grounded in shared faith, culture, and mutual respect.
During his visit, President Zardari will hold high-level meetings with Iraqi leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to enhance cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, energy, reconstruction, manpower, technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges, Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.
Discussions are also expected to cover regional and international developments, as well as collaboration in multilateral forums.
The visit aims to reinforce the traditionally warm and cordial ties between the two countries, identify new avenues for partnership, and strengthen people-to-people connections, particularly in the areas of religious tourism and economic cooperation.
This official visit underscores Pakistan’s continued engagement with Iraq and its commitment to fostering a forward-looking, results-oriented, and strategic partnership that contributes to Iraq’s stability, development, and broader regional peace and prosperity.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iraqi counterpart, General Abdul Ameer Al‑Shammari, had agreed to significantly strengthen coordination on security and the regulated management of Pakistani pilgrims.
Tens of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims travel each year to Iraq and Iran to visit some of the most revered sites in Shia Islam, including Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, as well as major religious centres in Mashhad and Qom in Iran.
Pilgrimage activity reaches its height during occasions such as Arbaeen, when millions of worshippers gather in Karbala from across the region.
