Zardari visits shrines in Baghdad, meets Iraqi leadership

President Asif Ali Zardari, who is on a four-day official visit to Iraq, visited on Monday prominent religious shrines in Baghdad and prayed for peace, unity and security of the Muslim Ummah, as Islamabad and Baghdad seek to deepen bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, the president paid respects at the shrines of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, Imam Musa al-Kazim and Imam Muhammad al-Taqi al-Jawad, where he offered nawafil, met the shrine administrators and recorded his remarks in the visitors’ books. He also visited the shrine of Imam Abu Hanifa and offered prayers.

Read: Zardari arrives in Baghdad for official visit

According to an official statement, President Zardari described the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt as an eternal source of knowledge, patience, wisdom and moral strength, and prayed for harmony and stability across the Muslim world.

The religious engagements came alongside high-level diplomatic meetings. Earlier, President Zardari met Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid at the Baghdad Palace, where he was accorded an official welcome and guard of honour. The two leaders held one-on-one talks, followed by delegation-level discussions and a luncheon hosted by the Iraqi president.

President Zardari arrived in Baghdad earlier this week and was received by Iraq’s Minister for Culture, Dr Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani. During the visit, meetings with senior Iraqi leadership are expected to advance cooperation and further strengthen Pakistan-Iraq relations.

During his meetings with the officials, President Zardari cleared that the existing levels of bilateral trade did not reflect the true potential of Pakistan-Iraq relations and called for expanded cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and defence production, while also identifying opportunities in information technology, construction and pharmaceuticals.

He stressed the need for stronger business-to-business linkages, reciprocal business delegations and the establishment of direct banking channels to facilitate commercial activity. The president reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to support Iraq’s reconstruction through the provision of skilled and semi-skilled manpower under an existing MoU, and highlighted Pakistan’s capacity in medical services, financial expertise and digital governance, including secure data management.

Read More: Pakistan, Iraq pledge stronger bilateral cooperation

He also sought improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims and early finalisation of the MoU on Zaireen Management, while affirming Pakistan’s resolve to curb illegal entry and overstay. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation against extremism, terrorism and narcotics trafficking, and to deepen coordination at regional and multilateral forums.

Enroute from Islamabad, the president also conveyed a goodwill message to the Iranian leadership as his aircraft entered Iranian airspace, reaffirming solidarity with Iran and underscoring mutual respect and the importance of stronger regional relations.