Islamabad (Khyber Mail): Pakistan and Iraq have expressed a strong desire to deepen their bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including interfaith harmony, economic ties, and regional connectivity. The commitment was highlighted during a seminar at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, where Ayatollah Sayed Izz Uddin Al-Hakim, a prominent Iraqi religious scholar leading a delegation of ulema, professors, and researchers, emphasized Iraq’s keenness to expand relations with Pakistan.
Ayatollah Izz Uddin, a member of Iraq’s influential Al-Hakim family, reflected on his country’s progress since 2003 despite challenges such as sectarian conflict, terrorism, and economic instability. He remained optimistic about Iraq’s future, highlighting its rich natural resources and strategic geographic position, which he said could serve as a bridge connecting the Gulf states, Iran, and Pakistan with Turkey and Europe.
Stressing the importance of interfaith harmony, he noted that Iraq’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society places great emphasis on mutual respect, leaving no space for sectarian divisions. He also called for greater people-to-people exchanges between Iraq and Pakistan to further strengthen diplomatic and cultural ties.
President of the IRS, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the vast potential for enhanced cooperation between the two nations. He pointed out the shared vision of regional connectivity and economic collaboration, emphasizing the need for stronger interactions between the private sectors of both countries. Saleem also welcomed initiatives for research partnerships and interfaith dialogue to foster deeper understanding and cooperation.
Both sides agreed that expanding economic relations and academic collaboration would be key drivers in bringing the two nations closer. The seminar marked a significant step towards enhancing diplomatic and economic engagement between Pakistan and Iraq.