ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to begin a five-day official visit to Iraq from Saturday to discuss a wide range of issues, including greater trade, investment and energy cooperation, the foreign office said in a statement on Friday.
Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have maintained cordial ties, though economic engagement between the two countries has remained limited. Trade volumes are small, with Iraq not ranking among Pakistan’s major export or import partners, despite officials and business groups identifying potential in sectors such as construction services, pharmaceuticals, and rice and other agricultural exports. Security concerns, weak banking channels and limited connectivity have continued to constrain commercial growth.
The two countries have stepped up high-level official exchanges in recent months, reflecting efforts to broaden and deepen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation across economic, political and people-to-people domains.
“At the invitation of H.E. Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, President of the Republic of Iraq, the President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, will undertake an official visit to the Republic of Iraq from 20 to 24 December 2025,” the foreign office announced in a statement.
“During the visit, the President will hold high-level meetings with the Iraqi leadership to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore ways to further strengthen cooperation across key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, reconstruction, manpower, technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges,” it added. “Discussions will also cover regional and international developments, as well as cooperation at multilateral fora.”
The foreign office said the visit was expected to reinforce traditionally warm ties between the two countries, identify new avenues of partnership and enhance people-to-people linkages, including religious tourism and economic collaboration.
People-to-people ties are strongest in the religious sphere, as Iraq holds significant importance for Pakistani Shia community who travel to holy sites in Najaf and Karbala.
Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with his Iraqi counterpart, General Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels, where both officials agreed to deepen cooperation on security and the facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq, including measures to ensure smooth travel and compliance with visa rules.
