Islamabad (GNP): Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called for deepening Pakistan-Australia relations through expanded parliamentary exchanges, trade and investment, education, defence cooperation, and people-to-people connections.
He shared these views during a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane at Parliament House, Islamabad. Gilani said Pakistan greatly values its long-standing, cordial relationship with Australia, highlighting the shared democratic values, Commonwealth traditions, bicameral parliamentary systems, and strong people-to-people ties linking the two nations.
He commended Australia’s contributions to Pakistan’s development, particularly in education and human resource development, and acknowledged the significant role the Pakistani diaspora plays in Australia’s social and economic life.
Gilani also briefed the High Commissioner on the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), which he founded and chairs. He noted that the inaugural ISC was held in Pakistan, followed by a second conference in Cambodia, with a third scheduled for Indonesia in February 2027.
The two sides also exchanged views on the upcoming election for the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and other matters related to inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Highlighting opportunities for greater economic collaboration, Gilani called for strengthened partnership in sectors including agri-tech, renewable energy, fintech, minerals, textiles, IT services, and food products, along with closer ties between the two countries’ business communities and chambers of commerce.
He further emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in higher education, scholarships, joint research, climate change, disaster management, cybersecurity, maritime security, and peacekeeping, while stressing the value of constructive diplomacy, respect for international law, and peaceful resolution of disputes.
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In response, High Commissioner Timothy Kane expressed Australia’s interest in further strengthening both bilateral and parliamentary cooperation with Pakistan, commending Gilani’s efforts to foster closer relations between the two countries.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
