ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan and Spain were set to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, education, labour mobility and investment as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Speaking at a reception marking Spain’s National Day, the minister conveyed Pakistan’s felicitations to King Felipe VI, the Spanish government and people.

She said Spain was one of Pakistan’s strongest partners in the European Union and thanked Madrid for its continued support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status.

Bilateral trade was currently close to $2 billion, with considerable potential for expansion, she said, adding that Pakistan sought to broaden economic ties beyond the traditional textile sector.

She identified information technology, renewable energy, food processing, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, seafood processing, industrial machinery and tourism as areas offering opportunities for greater cooperation and investment.

Ms Khawaja said more than 140, 000 Pakistanis living in Spain represented an important human link between the two countries. “Their contribution to Spanish society and economy has strengthened people-to-people ties while maintaining close connections with Pakistan.”

She welcomed Spain’s recent regularisation initiative for eligible undocumented migrants, including Pakistani nationals, and called for greater cooperation on legal and orderly labour mobility.

Education was another key area, with greater university collaboration and student exchanges capable of building long-term relations between the two societies.

The minister also appreciated Spain’s commitment to multilateralism, international law and humanitarian principles, particularly its recognition of the State of Palestine and support for humanitarian assistance.

Recalling historic links between the two countries, she noted that Allama Mohammad Iqbal had visited the Mosque of Cordoba in 1933, an association through which generations of Pakistanis had developed a cultural connection with Spain.

She also congratulated Spain on its football success, noting that footballs produced in Sialkot had formed a small part of its sporting journey.

She expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship would continue to grow in the coming years.

Spain and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with cooperation in trade, investment, climate change, counter-terrorism and people-to-people contacts identified as key areas.

In his remarks, Spanish Ambassador to Pakistan Carlos Aragon Gil de la Serna said both countries shared a commitment to the UN Charter, international law, human rights and multilateralism.

Carlos Aragon said he was honoured to have two women – chief guest Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Senator Sherry Rehman representing the President of Pakistan – opening the celebration for the Spanish national day, making feminist foreign policy a priority in the country.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2026