ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Egypt showed a renewed push to deepen economic, political and security cooperation as Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty began a two-day official visit to Islamabad.
The visit, indicated by extensive talks and a joint press conference, underlined both countries’ intention to revitalise long-standing ties and expand partnership across multiple sectors.
In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Pakistan would share a list of 250 prominent business houses with Egypt. The initiative aims to increase bilateral commercial engagement, which currently stands at around $300 million, a figure Dar described as “not commensurate” with the potential of the relationship.
Dar said the list, to be prepared by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with other chambers, would include businesses representing key sectors of Pakistan’s economy.
After due diligence in Egypt, these firms would be placed on a “white list” to help facilitate trade and business visas. He added that an additional 250 companies would be added after three months, raising the total to 500.
Furthermore, the two sides also agreed to establish a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council to institutionalise private-sector cooperation, followed by a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum, which both foreign ministers will co-chair. Its first meeting is planned in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026.
Dar acknowledged that the Pakistan-Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission had not met since 2010 and said bilateral political consultations would resume in early 2026. Preparations for the long-pending commission meeting are expected to be completed before mid-2026.
The discussions also covered regional and international developments, including the situations in Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, and India-occupied Kashmir. Dar praised Egypt’s humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in Gaza and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Palestinian rights.
However, Abdelatty, describing Pakistan as his “second home,” expressed solidarity with Pakistan following recent terrorist attacks and stressed Egypt’s commitment to combating terrorism alongside Islamabad. He said Egypt hoped to elevate bilateral ties to a “strategic level” and reinvigorate institutional mechanisms of cooperation.
He noted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had instructed him to increase engagement with Pakistan, saying “the sky’s the limit” for cooperation.
Dar welcomed the momentum in bilateral interactions and emphasised both countries’ responsibility to strengthen diplomatic, economic, defence and cultural links.
He said Abdelatty’s visit reflected the “longstanding friendship” between the two nations and their shared commitment to advancing mutually beneficial collaboration.
