ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Egypt on Sunday pledged to significantly expand their economic and strategic partnership as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad would share a list of 250 leading Pakistani business houses with Cairo to boost bilateral commercial engagement.
Dar made the remarks during a joint press conference with Egyptian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who arrived in Islamabad for a two-day official visit. The two sides held what Dar described as a “very, very focused discussion” covering trade, regional conflicts — including Gaza, Sudan and the Iranian nuclear programme — and cooperation in multilateral forums.
Dar said the initial list of 250 companies, to be compiled by the FPCCI in consultation with other chambers, would represent all key sectors of Pakistan’s economy. Following due diligence in Egypt, these firms would be placed on a “white list” to facilitate streamlined business visas and enhanced commercial cooperation. Another 250 firms will be added after three months, taking the total to 500.
He also announced the creation of a Pakistan-Egypt Business Council to institutionalise private sector cooperation, followed by a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum to be co-chaired by the two foreign ministers. Its inaugural meeting is scheduled for Cairo in the second quarter of 2026.
Acknowledging the long pause in formal bilateral mechanisms, Dar said political consultations would resume in early 2026, paving the way for a long-delayed session of the Joint Ministerial Commission later that year. He highlighted the “strength of Pakistan-Egypt relations” and noted shared positions on regional crises, particularly Gaza. Dar praised Egypt’s mediation and humanitarian efforts and noted Cairo’s decision to double scholarships for Pakistani students at Al-Azhar University.
Abdelatty, expressing solidarity with Pakistan after recent terrorist attacks, said both sides had agreed to intensify coordination against cross-border terrorism and extremist ideology. He underscored Egypt’s “holistic” counterterrorism model and highlighted the role of institutions such as Al-Azhar al-Sharif.
The Egyptian FM said the talks were “extensive and constructive”, reiterating support for a two-state solution and announcing plans to invite Pakistan to an upcoming conference on Gaza reconstruction. Calling Pakistan his “second home”, Abdelatty said the “sky’s the limit” for cooperation as both nations seek to elevate ties to a strategic level.
