Islamabad, 9 September 2022 (TDI): Sajid Hussain Turi, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development of Pakistan met Hamid Abbas Lafta, Ambassador of Iraq to Pakistan.
Pleased to receive Iraqi Ambassador HE Hamid Abbas Lafta at my office @mophrd discussed in detail bilateral relations, issues in obtaining visas, borders closing & facilitation of Zaireen. Also discussed bilateral trade & cultural cooperation & matters of mutual interest. 🇵🇰 🇮🇶 pic.twitter.com/o2GfLa3yxS
— Sajid Hussain Turi (@SajidTuriPPP) September 9, 2022
During the meeting, the two dignitaries reviewed bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iraq. Moreover, they discussed issues in obtaining visas, borders closing as well as facilitation of Zaireen.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister and Ambassador of Iraq also held discussions on bilateral trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Along with these, they discussed matters of mutual interest at both regional and international levels.
Previously, in August 2022, the Ambassador of Iraq, Hamid Abbas Lufta called on Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan. They discussed various issues of mutual interests during the meeting, along with the Political situation in Iraq.
Moreover, Chairman Senate highlighted that Pakistan-Iraq relations were based on Islamic culture, brotherhood, mutual respect, and common values. He further mentioned Pakistan attaches great importance to long-standing bilateral relations with Iraq.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Prime Minister met Foreign Minister of Iraq
Relations between Pakistan and Iraq
The two countries had enjoyed close and cooperative ties since the Independence of Pakistan in 1947. Iraq supported Pakistan in its war against India in 1971.
The relationship saw some ups and downs in the 1980s and 1990s but after Saddam Hossein’s Regime, Pakistan provided support for the new regime in Iraq.
In the past two years, Pakistan-Iraq relations have strengthened due to frequent exchanges of visits between state officials. In May 2021, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, visited Iraq.
Further, the meeting of Iraqi Defense Minister General Juma Inad Saadoun Al-Jubour with Pakistan’s President, Arif Alvi in 2021, was also an important event in strengthening the relations.
Apart from this, in 2021, the Foreign Ministers of two states, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Fuad Hussein also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) to establish a bilateral political consultation mechanism for regular consultations.
