FM’s remarks for Joint Press Stakeout — 5 June 2023
His Excellency Dr. Fuad Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq,
Honorable Media Representatives
Ladies and gentlemen,
Assalam-u-Alaikum,
It is a matter of great pleasure for me to visit the brotherly country of Iraq. I want to specially thank Dr. Fuad Hussein for extending invitation to me to visit this beautiful country, which is very close to my heart as well.
My mother, Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed held Iraq in very high esteem and had very fond memories of her visit.
I have come here with a desire to reinvigorate our fraternal ties and build them on solid foundations based on mutual respect, interests, and institutional linkages.
I want to reiterate our desire to transform our bilateral relations into mutually beneficial economic ties. During my visit, we would have range of exchanges with the Iraqi leadership and private sector. We would be signing bilateral agreements focusing on strengthening our collaboration in diverse fields.
Similar to Pakistan, Iraqi nation has shown exemplary resilience, steadfastness, and resoluteness in combating terrorism and defeating this scourge. Our two nations have made great sacrifices in achieving this victory, fruits of which are being enjoyed by the region and beyond.
Both our countries have always stood by each other at the multilateral forums. We have good flourishing defence cooperation, contributing towards our shared objectives for peace, stability and security. It is time to rebuild, come out stronger than ever and transform our countries into progressive nation states.
I am very happy to note that both countries have agreed to open Pakistani Consulate in Najaf. We have discussed MoU on Zaireen
hospitality and Inshallah I will be signing during my visit to Iraq.
I also want to announce the Pakistani Pilgrim centre in Kerbala, which would facilitate Pakistani Zaireen.
I hope that my visit would pave the way for further enhancing people-to-people contacts especially between the private sector, media, academia, and researchers. Pakistani workforce is renowned around the world for their efficiency, skill set and determination, and we hope to enhance avenues of collaboration in the interests of sustainable development of both the countries.
The holy shrines in Iraq are very sacred for my people. We hope that more and more Pakistanis get an opportunity to visit these places. I am optimistic that my visit builds on our common rich heritage and provides an impetus to broaden and deepen our fraternal ties.
We were and always will be Iraq’s close friends. We consider Iraq as our partner in achieving peace, prosperity, growth and development.
FM’s remarks for Joint Press Stakeout — 5 June 2023
