Bilawal returns home from three-day trip to Iraq

Primary purpose of FM’s visit was to strengthen the relationship between both countries, says statement

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday returned home from a three-day trip to the Republic of Iraq where he was accompanied by several staff members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others.

PPP Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi in a statement said the primary purpose of his visit was to strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and Iraq so that Pakistani people can benefit from economic cooperation, easier 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,” the statement said.

Bilawal signed an MOU on Monday to strengthen cooperation between businesses in Iraq and Pakistan, as well as establishing a new forum for private sector collaboration between the two countries, which will further increase income-generating opportunities for Pakistani workers and business owners.

“There is immense potential to increase trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq,” Bilawal said, adding that “the Pakistani workforce is renowned around the world for their efficiency, skill set and determination”.

Also read: Bilawal discusses bilateral ties with Iraqi leaders

It stated that Iraq is also home to the majority of the world’s Shia pilgrimage sites, in addition to numerous significant Sunni sites, and Bilawal announced several measures that will make it easier and less expensive for Pakistani pilgrims to travel to Iraq in future.

These measures include the opening of new facilities in Karbala that will offer assistance to travellers, the opening of a new Pakistani consulate in Najaf, relaxations of visa requirements (initially for official passport holders, which is a precursor to potential further relaxation), the construction of a new embassy in Baghdad, and other measures aimed at facilitating easier travel for Pakistanis.

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

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 6, 2023

“The holy sites in Iraq are very sacred for my people. We hope that more and more Pakistanis get an opportunity to visit these places,” the minister said.

On the theme of security cooperation, Bilawal also noted the parallels between the struggles with terrorism facing both Iraqis and Pakistanis, and pledged to deepen cooperation in future to prevent violence against innocent civilians.

Overall, both the Pakistani delegation and the Iraqi hosts spoke warmly of the great potential and real impact that this visit has had. The trip included meetings with Iraqi political leaders including Iraq’s president, prime minister, foreign minister, and interior minister, the speaker of the Iraqi parliament, and the president of the Al-Hikmet party.

Bilawal also met with religious leaders including the Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq and Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Al-Najafi.