ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Pakistan would provide Egypt with a list of 250 business enterprises, selected through a transparent mechanism for inclusion in Egypt’s “white list,” as both countries decided to enhance bilateral relations.
Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign affairs, said that both countries have also decided to establish a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council, a move aimed at giving institutional shape to bilateral trade cooperation.
To address rising visa-related complaints, he said, both governments have finalised a new facilitation mechanism to streamline travel and business movement between the two countries.
The DPM said political consultations between the two sides will be held in Pakistan during the first quarter of 2026, adding that the forum will hold its first meeting in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026. He added that for the first time since 2010, Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to convene the Joint Ministerial Commission in 2026.
Egypt’s foreign minister expressed deep condolences and solidarity with Pakistan over the recent terrorist attacks in the country, reaffirming that Cairo stands firmly with Islamabad in its fight against terrorism. The two leaders also held a bilateral meeting before the joint press conference.
The DPM said the visit demonstrated their shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence and cultural spheres and provided an important opportunity to advance shared goals. Dar also appreciated the encouraging progress in recent engagements at various levels on the margins of multilateral and regional forums around the world, aimed at promoting long-term cooperation, partnership and brotherhood.
In his remarks, FM Abdelatty conveyed sincere condolences and sympathies from the Egyptian government and people over the tragic loss of lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Peshawar. He reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to eradicate terrorism. He said Egypt deeply valued its cordial relations with Pakistan. Both countries, the visiting dignitary noted, faced shared challenges at economic, political and security levels, which encouraged closer cooperation and exchange of expertise and best practices.
“Peace and stability are the main pillars of our strategic partnership,” he said, expressing Egypt’s desire to elevate the relationship to a strategic level and revitalise the existing institutional mechanisms of dialogue, particularly the Joint Ministerial Committee.
In a joint presser alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Dar said another list of 250 additional firms will be prepared within six months, bringing the total to 500.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger Pakistan-Egypt ties and expressed the hope that both sides will reinvigorate cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates of Egypt, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Sunday.
The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and international issues, reaffirming their resolve to work together for peace, stability and prosperity.
Earlier, the two leaders held a one-on-one meeting and discussed matters of mutual interest.
President Zardari noted that this year marks 77 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed the hope that both sides will reinvigorate cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. He encouraged greater Egyptian investment in sectors where opportunities are expanding, including energy, logistics, construction, agriculture, mining and IT.
Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty delivered a message from the Egyptian president and expressed Egypt’s keen interest in expanding its partnership with Pakistan in various fields.
The Egyptian foreign minister also held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at General Headquarters. Discussions focused on defence and security cooperation, military exchanges, training collaborations, and regional peace and stability. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of continued high-level engagement between the armed forces of the two countries.
