Pakistan-Canada Friendship Group has agreed to explore new avenues for further broadening the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Canada.
The friendship group of the two countries held a meeting in parliament house while Canadian House of Commons Member, Sameer Zuberi lead the Canadian group. The meeting discussed a host of issues, inter alia, including travel advisory of Canada with respect to Pakistan, Islamophobia and high rate of visa refusal to Pakistani students and traders and other matters of mutual interests.
Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi chaired the meeting. Parliamentary delegation of Canada led by Canadian MP and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Canadian Parliament, Mr Sameer Zuberi attended the meeting.
Deputy Chairman Senate, Mirza Muhammad Afridi said that as Canada pursues a path to diversifying its partnerships, Pakistan is one of the emerging economies in Asia offering tremendous opportunities. Pakistan seeks to revive the full spectrum relations in political, trade, investment and development fields with Canada, he added.
The Canadian MP, Mr Sameer Zuberi briefed the Senators on their endeavors to promote friendship between the parliamentarians of the two countries and remarked that Canada recognizes the economic importance of Pakistan.
Senator Eng Rukhsana Zuberi stressed that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Canada needs to be increased and the private sector should be encouraged in a push to boost trade ties.
Afridi underlined that both countries enjoy exemplary ties but the bilateral trade needs to be increased for which linkages, information, exchange of trade delegations and holding exhibitions are of vital importance.
Senator Azam Swati commended the leadership of Canada for upholding and setting standards of Human rights.
Senator Danesh Kumar stressed promoting inter-faith harmony.
Senator Rubina Khalid underlined the importance of learning from each other’s parliamentary practices.
Senator Swati also raised the issue of the high rate of rejection of student and traders visas. To which Mr Sameer assured that he will convey the reservations regarding visa rejection and work for its perseverance.
