By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Egypt have agreed to take significant steps to expand political, economic, trade and defence cooperation during a two-day official visit by Egypt’s Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty to Islamabad from 29–30 November 2025, the Foreign Office said Sunday.

Dr. Abdelatty, who visited Pakistan on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, held delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including cultural exchanges, education, health collaboration, and particularly Egypt’s support for Pakistan’s hepatitis C elimination program.

In a major development aimed at boosting private-sector linkages, Pakistan and Egypt agreed to facilitate visa processing for business communities by initially identifying 250 Pakistani companies, with the number to rise to 500 in the second phase.

The two countries also agreed to establish the Pakistan–Egypt Business Council to institutionalize commercial partnerships, as well as a Pakistan–Egypt Business Forum, which will convene in the second quarter of 2026 alongside the next session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), to be co-chaired by the foreign ministers.

The Foreign Ministry said both sides reaffirmed their intention to activate all bilateral mechanisms, including holding a high-level senior officials’ meeting in the first quarter of 2026.

In a boost to academic cooperation, Dr. Abdelatty announced that Al-Azhar University will double the number of scholarships offered to Pakistani students.

Regional issues, particularly the worsening situation in Gaza, were a key focus of discussions. Pakistan praised Egypt’s “pivotal diplomatic and humanitarian role,” including its efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access. Both sides reiterated support for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital.

During his visit, the Egyptian foreign minister also called on President Asif Ali Zardari, who emphasized the historic ties between the two nations and Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.

Dr. Abdelatty met Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters, where both sides discussed defence and security collaboration, training, and regional stability, while reaffirming the importance of sustained high-level military engagement.

The Egyptian foreign minister also interacted with Pakistani business leaders in Islamabad, outlining potential avenues to enhance trade and investment flows.

According to the Foreign Office, the visit contributed to advancing the longstanding Pakistan–Egypt partnership and underscored a shared commitment to work together for regional peace, stability and prosperity.