Pakistan, Egypt eye strengthening bilateral defense and strategic cooperation

• Pakistan’s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir meets Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty in Rawalpindi
• Both discuss enhancing military-to-military contacts, training collaborations, Pakistani military’s media wing says 

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty on Monday to review bilateral ties, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthen defense and security cooperation, the Pakistani military said.

Abdelatty arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to review defense, economic and diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Egypt. He has held meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials during his visit to the country.

Munir and the Egyptian foreign minister’s discussions revolved around defense and security cooperation, military-to-military contacts, training collaborations and regional peace and stability, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said.

“The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen coordination and deepen the long-standing ties in defense and broader strategic domains,” the statement said.

Abdelatty spoke of Egypt’s continued interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan across all spheres, the ISPR said.

“Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to address emerging challenges, especially in light of evolving regional security dynamics,” the military’s media wing added.

GREATER EGYPTIAN INVESTMENT

Earlier on Sunday, President Asif Ali Zardari met Abdelatty in Islamabad where the two discussed bilateral ties and economic trade and cooperation.

“The president encouraged greater Egyptian investment in sectors where opportunities are expanding, including energy, logistics, construction, agriculture, mining and IT,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

Zardari hoped Pakistan and Egypt will reinvigorate cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. He noted that Islamabad’s relations with Cairo are rooted in shared faith and mutual respect.

“The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and international issues, reaffirming their resolve to work together for peace, stability, and prosperity,” Radio Pakistan said.

During a joint news conference with Abdelatty on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced the two countries will establish a new business council, which will be followed up with a meeting of the Pakistan Egypt Business Forum next year.

In a bid to revive bilateral trade and investment, Cairo and Islamabad will also hold a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission between the two states next year after a gap of 16 years, Dar said.