ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iraq on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the provision of workforce between the two countries while agreeing to strengthen industrial collaboration, according to an official statement.
The MoU was part of the 9th session of the Pakistan-Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), which was historic for being the first such interaction held since the last meeting in Islamabad over two decades ago in 2001.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan arrived in Baghdad a day earlier to lead his country’s delegation at the talks and was received by Iraq’s Minister for Housing and Construction Bangen Rekani at the Baghdad International Airport.
“The purpose of the JMC was to enhance economic, trade and cultural ties, which culminated in the signing of several key memorandums of understanding, including an agreement on the provision of workforce between the two countries,” the statement said.
During the meeting, both sides explored avenues for collaboration in various sectors. Religious tourism emerged as a key area of interest, while discussions also highlighted opportunities for industrial cooperation, particularly in export processing zones and fields such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
Health and education partnerships were emphasized as well, with plans for scholarships for Iraqi students and training programs in health care, vaccine production and biotechnology.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Pakistani minister reaffirmed his country’s commitment to deepening its ties with Iraq.
“The economic potential between Pakistan and Iraq is immense, and today’s agreements provide a roadmap for achieving our shared goals,” he said.
The minister highlighted reforms introduced in Pakistan to attract foreign investment and urged Iraq to ease visa restrictions for traders from his country to promote bilateral trade and cultural exchanges.
He expressed optimism the decisions made during the JMC would pave the way for significant progress in bilateral trade, investment and cultural exchanges.
Khan also invited Iraq to participate in the 10th session of the ministerial commission in Pakistan to review progress and plan future initiatives.
Iraq, Pakistan sign MoU to boost workforce exchange, strengthen industrial partnership
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Iraq, Pakistan sign MoU to boost workforce exchange, strengthen industrial partnership
- Development occurred at the 9th JMC session held since its last meeting in Islamabad over two decades ago
- Both countries discuss industrial cooperation, particularly in export processing zones, in a number of fields
Islamabad steps up vehicle checks to boost security as 166,000 cars get electronic tags
- Authorities say over 3,000 vehicles registered in past 24 hours as enforcement intensifies
- Extended service hours introduced to push full compliance with digital monitoring system
ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the Pakistani capital have intensified enforcement against vehicles without mandatory electronic tags with more than 166,000 cars now registered, according to data released on Sunday evening, as Islamabad moves to strengthen security and digital monitoring at key entry and exit points.
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration introduced the electronic tagging system late last year as part of a broader effort to regulate traffic, improve record-keeping and enhance surveillance in a city that hosts the country’s main government institutions, foreign missions and diplomatic enclaves.
Under the system, vehicles are fitted with electronic tags that can be read automatically by scanners installed at checkpoints across the capital, allowing authorities to identify unregistered vehicles without manual inspections. Vehicles already equipped with a motorway tag, or m-tag, are exempt from the requirement.
“A total of 166,888 vehicles have successfully been issued M-Tags so far, including 3,130 vehicles in the last 24 hours,” the ICT administration said, according to the Excise Department.
Officials said readers installed at checkpoints across Islamabad are fully operational and are being used to stop vehicles still without tags, as enforcement teams carry out checks across the city.
To facilitate compliance, authorities have expanded installation facilities and extended operating hours. The Excise Department said m-tag installation is currently available at 17 booth locations, while select centers have begun operating beyond normal working hours.
According to Director General Excise Irfan Memon, m-tag centers at 26 Number Chungi and 18 Meel are providing services round the clock, while counters at Kachnar Park and F-9 Park remain open until midnight to accommodate motorists unable to visit during daytime hours.
Officials said the combination of enforcement and facilitation was aimed at achieving full compliance with minimal disruption, adding that operations would continue until all vehicles operating in the capital are brought into the system.
The enforcement drive builds on a wider push by the federal government to integrate traffic management, emergency response and security monitoring through technology-driven “safe city” initiatives. Last month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed Islamabad’s surveillance infrastructure and said reforms in monitoring systems and the effective use of technology were the “need of the hour.”
Authorities have urged motorists to obtain electronic tags promptly to avoid delays and penalties at checkpoints as enforcement continues across the capital.
