Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani held a series of high-level meetings with parliamentary leaders from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania, to strengthen Pakistan’s bilateral relations, expand economic cooperation and promote parliamentary diplomacy.
Leading Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation to the October 5-9 assembly, Gilani engaged with counterparts from Tanzania, Bangladesh, Australia, Iran, Cambodia, Uzbekistan and Uruguay, alongside meetings with senior IPU leadership and representatives of international parliamentary institutions.
The discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, improving regional connectivity, strengthening parliamentary and educational exchanges, and promoting dialogue as a means of resolving international disputes.
During his meeting with Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly Mussa Azzan Zungu, Gilani discussed avenues for cooperation in trade, investment, information technology, agriculture, education and parliamentary affairs. He proposed the establishment of a permanent Tanzanian diplomatic mission in Islamabad and called for enhanced parliamentary and educational exchanges to strengthen institutional ties between the two countries.
In a separate meeting with the Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament, the chairman Senate discussed opportunities to expand bilateral economic cooperation and parliamentary relations. Both sides agreed to explore maritime connectivity between Karachi and Chittagong and cooperation in textiles, pharmaceuticals, jute and agriculture. Gilani also invited the Bangladeshi Speaker to visit Pakistan, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening historic and brotherly relations with Bangladesh.
Gilani also met IPU President Dr Tulia Ackson and appreciated her leadership, describing her historic presidency as an inspiration for women parliamentarians, particularly in the Global South. He invited her to visit the Senate of Pakistan, an invitation she accepted.
The chairman Senate subsequently congratulated Australian Speaker Milton Dick on his election as IPU president, expressing confidence that his leadership would strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, democratic values and dialogue among nations.
Pakistan also extended support to Bangladeshi candidate Jashrat Adeeb Chaudhury for membership of the IPU Executive Committee, reflecting Islamabad’s support for Bangladesh’s representation in the international parliamentary forum.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Gilani held further meetings with parliamentary representatives from Australia, Tanzania, Iran, Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Uruguay and Bangladesh. He also met Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference Secretary-General Eknath Dhakal and hosted a luncheon in honour of the Cambodian parliamentary delegation.
Addressing the IPU Assembly, Gilani called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian assistance and a just resolution of the Palestine issue in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
He reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people under relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The chairman Senate also highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and stressed the importance of inclusive governance, mutual trust, peaceful coexistence and multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Referring to the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference held in Islamabad, he noted that parliamentary leaders from more than 40 countries had participated in the event and adopted the Islamabad Declaration. He said its principles of “dialogue over discord.
