Pakistan and Egypt have announced major steps to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, under which Pakistan will provide Egypt with a list of 250 prominent Pakistani business houses to enhance effective collaboration and increase commercial activities between the private sectors of both countries.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad with his Egyptian counterpart, Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdel Aaty. He said that the current trade volume between Pakistan and Egypt is around 300 million dollars, and both sides held focused discussions on ways to increase it.
According to Ishaq Dar, the list of 250 Pakistani business houses—representing various economic sectors—will be prepared in consultation with the FPCCI and Chambers of Commerce. Egypt will place these companies on its whitelist, which will significantly reduce delays faced by Pakistani businessmen in obtaining business visas. He added that within six months, another 250 businesses will be added to the list, bringing the total to 500, after which a Pakistan–Egypt Business Council will be established to promote institutional cooperation between the private sectors.
The Foreign Minister said that in the second quarter of 2026, the first meeting of the Pakistan–Egypt Business Forum will be held in Cairo, co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries. He expressed regret that since 2010, the Joint Ministerial Commission of the two countries has not been able to meet, but it has now been agreed that political consultations at the senior officials’ level will be held in the first quarter of 2026. An Assistant Minister from Egypt and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary will lead this process.
Ishaq Dar shared that Egypt has announced doubling the number of scholarships for Pakistani students at Al-Azhar University. These scholarships will primarily cover Qur’anic education, intellectual training against extremism, and courses related to the promotion of peace. He said that both countries agreed to enhance political, economic, defense, and cultural cooperation, and also discussed regional issues, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty described Pakistan as his second home, expressed condolences over recent terrorist incidents, and stated that both countries face common challenges that require mutual cooperation. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to reactivate existing mechanisms to boost cooperation with Pakistan in economic, security, political, and cultural fields.
During his visit, Dr. Abdel Aaty also met President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, where detailed discussions were held on mutual cooperation, regional peace, and defense relations.
