Islamabad, August 3, 2026: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Carlos Aragon, in Islamabad on Monday to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in higher education, agriculture, sports, and human development.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding cooperation with Spain across areas of mutual interest.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan's growing academic engagement with international universities and informed the Ambassador that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been shared to establish collaboration between the University of Narowal and a University of Granada. He expressed confidence that the partnership would promote academic exchanges, joint research, and faculty and student collaboration. He added that the University of Narowal's architecture is inspired by Al-Andalus and Granada, symbolizing a shared cultural heritage.
The Minister also invited the Ambassador to visit Kartarpur Sahib, describing it as one of the holiest sites for the Sikh community and a symbol of Pakistan's commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and religious tourism.
Highlighting Pakistan's vast agricultural potential, the Minister said the country is emerging as a producer of high-quality olives and invited Spanish collaboration in olive cultivation, agribusiness, value addition, and agricultural technology, particularly in Balochistan, the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Potohar region. He also emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on imported palm oil by expanding domestic olive production.
Referring to his participation in the International Conference on Early Childhood Development in Spain, Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is keen to host the next conference in collaboration with Spain and UNICEF and extended an invitation to Her Majesty Queen of Spain to attend the event.
Congratulating Spain on winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup , the Minister praised the country's achievements in football and proposed cooperation in sports development, including technical assistance, coaching exchanges, and training programmes to help develop football talent in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Carlos Aragon appreciated Pakistan's hospitality and commended the warmth and generosity extended by the Pakistani people during his visits to different parts of the country, including Lahore. He also acknowledged Pakistan's constructive diplomatic efforts in promoting dialogue and reducing regional tensions, noting that such initiatives contribute positively to international peace and stability.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Spain relations through enhanced cooperation in education, agriculture, sports, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, while exploring new opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding cooperation with Spain across areas of mutual interest.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan's growing academic engagement with international universities and informed the Ambassador that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been shared to establish collaboration between the University of Narowal and a University of Granada. He expressed confidence that the partnership would promote academic exchanges, joint research, and faculty and student collaboration. He added that the University of Narowal's architecture is inspired by Al-Andalus and Granada, symbolizing a shared cultural heritage.
The Minister also invited the Ambassador to visit Kartarpur Sahib, describing it as one of the holiest sites for the Sikh community and a symbol of Pakistan's commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and religious tourism.
Highlighting Pakistan's vast agricultural potential, the Minister said the country is emerging as a producer of high-quality olives and invited Spanish collaboration in olive cultivation, agribusiness, value addition, and agricultural technology, particularly in Balochistan, the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Potohar region. He also emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on imported palm oil by expanding domestic olive production.
Referring to his participation in the International Conference on Early Childhood Development in Spain, Professor Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is keen to host the next conference in collaboration with Spain and UNICEF and extended an invitation to Her Majesty Queen of Spain to attend the event.
Congratulating Spain on winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup , the Minister praised the country's achievements in football and proposed cooperation in sports development, including technical assistance, coaching exchanges, and training programmes to help develop football talent in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Carlos Aragon appreciated Pakistan's hospitality and commended the warmth and generosity extended by the Pakistani people during his visits to different parts of the country, including Lahore. He also acknowledged Pakistan's constructive diplomatic efforts in promoting dialogue and reducing regional tensions, noting that such initiatives contribute positively to international peace and stability.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Spain relations through enhanced cooperation in education, agriculture, sports, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, while exploring new opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.