Islamabad: Pakistan and Egypt have pledged to enhance bilateral ties by facilitating private-sector partnerships and expanding commercial linkages, aiming to boost business and economic cooperation. This agreement was made during a two-day official visit by Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty to Pakistan, which concluded on Sunday.
According to Radio Pakistan, Dr. Badr Abdelatty met with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad for a tªte- -tªte meeting, followed by delegation-level talks. The discussions covered the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Egypt bilateral relations, including political, economic, trade, and defense relations, as well as cultural and educational cooperation. The collaboration also extended to the health sector, with special emphasis on Egypt’s support for Pakistan’s national Hepatitis C elimination efforts.
Both countries decided to facilitate visa processes by identifying 250 Pakistani business houses in the first phase, which would increase to 500 in the second phase. They also agreed to form the Pakistan-Egypt Business Council to institutionalize private-sector cooperation and promote mutually beneficial commercial partnerships.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum was agreed upon to advance economic collaboration. The forum is set to convene in the second quarter of 2026, alongside the meeting of the bilateral Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to activating bilateral institutional mechanisms and holding a senior official level meeting in the first quarter of 2026.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister announced the decision to double the number of scholarships offered by Al-Azhar University to Pakistani students. Additionally, Ishaq Dar and the Egyptian Foreign Minister exchanged views on regional and international developments, with Pakistan appreciating Egypt’s diplomatic and humanitarian role in Gaza, particularly its efforts towards ceasefire arrangements and humanitarian assistance.
Both nations reiterated their support for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.