Pakistan, Egypt pledge to deepen defense, strategic, and economic ties
Army chief meets Egyptian foreign minister in Rawalpindi as both sides discuss regional security, trade, and Gaza reconstruction
ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistan and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation, strategic ties, and economic collaboration, the Pakistani military said Monday.
During a meeting at the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reviewed bilateral relations, focusing on defense, military exchanges, training collaborations, and regional peace and stability. The meeting emphasized continued high-level engagement between the armed forces of both countries.
Abdelatty, who arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, also met President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
At the presidency, Zardari invited Egypt to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan and highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries, rooted in shared faith and mutual respect.
In economic talks, Abdelatty and Dar pledged to expand trade and business cooperation.
Pakistan will share a comprehensive list of 250 key businesses with Egypt to facilitate investment and ease visa access, with plans to increase the list to 500.
A Pakistan-Egypt Business Council will be established to institutionalize private sector cooperation, followed by the formation of a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum co-chaired by the two foreign ministers, with the first meeting scheduled in Cairo in the second quarter of 2026.
The ministers also agreed to resume political consultations and the Joint Ministerial Commission, which has not met in 15 years, with preparatory work set to begin early next year.
Both sides underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to ensure implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and the reconstruction of the enclave, reaffirming support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. Abdelatty described the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital as the only path to lasting regional stability.
The Egyptian foreign minister also expressed condolences over recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Peshawar and reiterated Egypt’s solidarity with Pakistan in combating extremism and terrorism.
He announced increased scholarships for Pakistani students at Al Azhar University and called for intensified coordination on regional security, including counterterrorism and cross-border threats.
The discussions further covered Afghanistan, Kashmir, and multilateral cooperation, emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution, respect for sovereignty, and adherence to international law and the UN Charter.
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