ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered to provide skilled manpower to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development efforts, the Pakistani government said on Sunday, signaling Islamabad’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Baghdad in sectors including infrastructure, technical services and human resource development.

The development comes during Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s four-day visit to Iraq to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, religious tourism, energy and other sectors.

Zardari held a one-on-one meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, at Baghdad Palace, which was followed by delegation-level talks to review the state of bilateral relations.

“President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development efforts through the provision of skilled and semi-skilled manpower under the existing Memorandum of Understanding on manpower transmission,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in a statement.

“He also highlighted Pakistan’s capacity in medical services, financial expertise and digital governance, and expressed readiness to share technical experience, including in secure data management, to support institutional capacity-building in Iraq.”

Iraq has been working to rebuild its economy and infrastructure after decades of conflict, including the 2003 US-led invasion and years of instability caused by sectarian violence and the fight against Daesh group. Although security conditions have improved in recent years, large parts of the country still face damaged roads, power plants, hospitals and housing, requiring large-scale reconstruction and public service delivery.

During Sunday’s meeting, Zardari noted that the current levels of bilateral trade do not reflect the true potential of Pakistan-Iraq economic, cultural and security relations, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, defense production, information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and other sectors. He underscored the importance of business-to-business engagement and the establishment of direct banking channels to facilitate trade and commercial activity, according to the PID.

Zardari also requested improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope for early finalization and implementation of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Zaireen (pilgrims) Management, aimed at ensuring orderly travel. He expressed his firm resolve to work with the Iraqi government to stop illegal entry and overstay of those Pakistanis who violate Iraqi law.

“Both Presidents expressed their resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and narco trade and enhance bilateral cooperation,” the PID said. “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation across political, economic and social domains.”

Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have traditionally maintained cordial ties, though commercial links remain modest. The volume of trade between both countries stood at $268 million in 2023.

Pakistan’s major exports to Iraq include machinery and mechanical appliances, pharmaceutical products, fish, cereals, essential oils and resinoids. Islamabad’s imports from Iraq include mineral fuels, mineral, organic chemicals, edible fruit and nuts.