Iraq and Pakistan Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation and Regional Security

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid's meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid received on Sunday, 21 December 2025, Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at Baghdad Palace.

The meeting focused on bilateral relations, recent regional developments and their implications, as well as the need to coordinate positions to support and consolidate security and stability in the region and working to contain existing tensions, after which extensive talks between the two delegations took place.
 
The Iraqi delegation was headed by the Iraqi President and included the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani,; the National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji; and a number of senior state officials. The Pakistani delegation was led by President Zardari and included several parliamentarians and officials, in addition to the Pakistani Ambassador to Iraq.

The Iraqi President reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening joint cooperation in the cultural and scientific fields, highlighting the importance of university twinning in expanding academic exchange and fostering partnerships between educational and academic institutions in both countries.

He also stressed the need to enhance economic and trade relations, particularly in the field of maritime connectivity, noting its positive impact on trade and joint investment opportunities. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of coordination and cooperation to promote religious tourism and facilitate the flow of Pakistani visitors to Iraq.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen security and military cooperation, including benefiting from Pakistan’s expertise in air force development and pilot training, as well as enhancing the exchange of intelligence and security information in the field of counter-terrorism.

The meeting also reviewed the memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries, emphasising the importance of finalising and implementing them, especially those related to investment. In addition, discussions covered support for training programmes for Iraqi students at various Pakistani military academies and institutes, contributing to capacity building and the exchange of expertise between the two sides.

For his part, the Pakistani President reaffirmed his country’s commitment to developing bilateral relations, praising the deep historical ties between the two nations and expressing Pakistan’s readiness to expand areas of cooperation in a manner that serves the shared interests of both friendly peoples.

The Pakistani President arrived in Baghdad on Saturday, 20 December 2025, on an official visit to Iraq, reflecting the depth and strength of bilateral relations between the two countries.

An official reception ceremony was held on Sunday in the presence of senior Iraqi and Pakistani officials. The ceremony included the playing of the national anthems of both countries, followed by an inspection of the honor guard.



PUKMEDIA