Mandviwalla meets Iraq’s new leadership, delivers President Zardari’s message
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Saleem Mandviwalla, Chief Whip in the Senate, led an official delegation to Iraq as Special Envoy on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, where he met the country’s newly elected leadership. According to a statement issued by the President’s House on Monday, Mandviwalla conveyed special messages from President Zardari to Iraqi President Nizar Amedi and Prime Minister Ali Falih Khadim Al Zaidi. President Zardari extended congratulations and best wishes to Iraq’s new leadership on their election. The message also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its longstanding brotherly ties with Iraq and expressed confidence that the country would continue progressing toward greater peace, stability, and economic development under its new leadership. Productive meeting with Iraqi PM Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi today. Delighted to convey warm congratulations from President Asif Ali Zardari and invite the PM to Pakistan. Looking forward to strengthening 🇵🇰-🇮🇶 cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and pilgrim regulation, while… pic.twitter.com/PnNyKNlIHQ — Saleem Mandviwalla (@SenatorSaleem) June 29, 2026 Representing President Zardari, Senator Mandviwalla also invited both Iraqi leaders to undertake official visits to Pakistan at mutually agreed dates. The Iraqi President and Prime Minister welcomed the invitations and expressed their willingness to visit Pakistan. During his visit, Senator Mandviwalla also held meetings with Haibat Hamad Abbas Al Halbousi, Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, and Dr Mustafa Nizar Juma’a Al Ani, Iraq’s Minister of Trade. He extended similar invitations to both officials on behalf of Pakistan’s President, which were warmly received, with both dignitaries showing interest in visiting Pakistan in the future. Talks between both sides highlighted a mutual commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in several sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, management of religious pilgrims, and strengthening pe