admin 
BAGHDAD, (MANEND NEWS): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah
Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan values the sacrifices of the
people of Iraq people in the war against terrorism.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Jumaa Inad Saadoun Khattab, Iraq’s
Minister of Defence, who warmly welcomed him at the Ministry of
Defence in Baghdad.
Foreign Minister Qureshi rejoiced the opportunity of meeting the Iraqi
Defence Minister twice within three months. Recalling the visit of
Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Production to Iraq in January 2021, he
expressed satisfaction at frequent interactions at the Ministerial level,
which augured well for future bilateral defence ties of Pakistan and
Iraq.
The two Ministers noted with contentment the steady growth in
bilateral defence relations.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said that this was reflected aptly by the
participation of Iraqi Special Forces Paratroopers in the Pakistan
National Day Parade on 23 March 2021. The two Ministers reviewed
the progress made on various aspects of defence collaboration
between the two countries.
The Defence Minister fondly recalled his visit to Islamabad in February
2021 and appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan’s Armed Forces
and the technical advancements made by the country in Defence
Production. Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to
further deepen and diversify bilateral cooperation in the fields of
defence and defence production.
The two Ministers agreed to continue exchanging senior level
delegations to sustain the positive momentum in the growing defence
relationship between the two countries.
Meanwhile Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Othman Ali Farhood Moshir Al-
Ghanimi, Iraq’s Minister of Interior, in Baghdad. During the meeting,
the Foreign Minister acknowledged the sacrifices made by Iraq in its
succesful fight against terrorism. He highlighted the professional
expertise and commitment of Pakistan’s armed forces and law
enforcement agencies in dealing effectively with the challenge of
terrorism. He added that the two countries could benefit from
cooperation in countering terrorism, in particular in sharing of
expertise and intelligence and training and capacity building of their
law enforcement agencies.
The Interior Minister welcomed the suggestion. Foreign Minister
Qureshi underscored strong religious and cultural affinities between
the peoples of the two countries. He added that these bonds also
provided significant opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in
diverse areas.
In this regard, the Foreign Minister emphasized the need to enhance
people to people linkages, in particular by promoting religious tourism
between the two countries. He added that facilitation of visas and
improved services to Pakistani Zaireen could lead to enhanced bilateral
trade, commerce and investment. Agreeing with the Foreign Minister,
the Interior Minister assured him of cooperation. He also highlighted
the need to enhance cooperation between the two countries in
countering narcotics and drug control.
The two Ministers agreed on the need to exchange delegations with a
view to enhancing cooperation in security matters, counternarcotics
and visa facilitation.