Pakistan, Egypt agree to boost economic, defence ties
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for a two-day official visit, held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar.
The two sides held talks on a wide range of issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, the dispute over the Iranian nuclear program and ways to increase economic cooperation.
In his speech at the joint press conference, Dar, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, admitted that the Pakistan-Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission has not met since 2010 and the two countries have not held bilateral political consultations.
He said political consultations will be held in the first quarter of 2026.
Dar said the two sides agreed to expand trade ties and Pakistan will share a list of 250 business institutions with Egypt to increase bilateral trade interaction by expediting visas for business. “These businesses will be facilitated and supported to enhance bilateral business interaction.” said the deputy prime minister, adding that the initial list of 250 people would be increased to 500 after three months. He announced that a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council will henceforth be established to institutionalize private sector cooperation and promote mutually beneficial business activities. Partnership and business for trade promotion between Pakistan and Egypt.
“After these two steps are taken, the Pakistan and Egypt Business Forum will also be established.” Dar stated that this will be co-chaired by two foreign ministers and the first meeting will be held in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026.
“We decided to work on a more structured cooperation framework and explore new avenues of partnership,” the deputy prime minister said.
He also said that Pakistan appreciates Egypt’s vital role in humanitarian support, mediation efforts and diplomatic initiatives to maintain the ceasefire and protect the rights of the Palestinian people.
Dar said Egypt has also announced that it will double scholarships for Pakistani academics who want to study at Al-Azhar University this year.
Abdelatty reiterated Dar’s remarks and vowed to deepen bilateral relations. “We want to raise our relations to a strategic level,” he said.
He noted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi instructed him to further develop bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and said, “The sky is the limit of our cooperation.”
He also expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks and offered to share his country’s experience in combating the threat.
“We stand in full solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” he said. “I would also like to convey our deep appreciation for our cordial relationship with Pakistan,” he said.
He also stated that Egypt is willing to revive the existing institutional dialogue and cooperation mechanism with Pakistan.
