Zubair Qureshi
Ambassador of Iraq Hamid Abbas Lufta called on Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Wednesday at the Parliament House and discussed issues of mutual interest including bilateral trade and the current political situation in Iraq.
Chairman Senate on the occasion said relations between Pakistan and Iraq were based on religion, brotherhood, Islamic culture, mutual respect and common values.
Pakistan attaches great importance to long-standing fraternal ties with Iraq and bilateral relations can be further strengthened through parliamentary and economic cooperation. He emphasized the need to increase parliamentary exchanges.
He said that parliamentarians of both countries can play an important role in making bilateral relations more stable and bringing the two countries closer.
Detailed discussion was held regarding further promotion of bilateral trade. Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani was of the view that the current volume of mutual trade does not commensurate with the potential of both countries.
Trade volume can be further increased by establishing contacts between the Chambers of Commerce of both countries. Chairman Senate said that Iraq can import rice, surgical instruments, sports equipment, furniture and other products from Pakistan.
Chairman Senate said that there is a need to increase direct air links between Pakistan and Iraq. He also stressed the need to promote unity among muslim countries to effectively overcome the challenge of Islamophobia.
Iraqi Ambassador Hamid Abbas Lufta said that Iraq values its friendly relations with Pakistan and wants to further expand the existing relations by establishing strong economic and trade ties.
He appreciated the Pakistani diaspora in Iraq for their services and assured of all possible facilitation to religious pilgrims from Pakistan.
