Islamabad (GNP): The Pakistan-Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group convened at Parliament House in Islamabad to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries across parliamentary, economic, cultural, and diplomatic channels.
The session was chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, who leads the friendship group, and included Misbah Khar, Advisor to the Chairman Senate and Ambassador of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), along with Senate Secretary Syed Hasnain Haider. Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Pakistan also took part, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring the significance both nations place on the engagement.
Opening the meeting, Senator Rehman spoke about the long-standing friendly relations between Pakistan and Bulgaria and the role parliamentary diplomacy plays in broadening cooperation across multiple sectors. He pointed to significant untapped potential in trade, investment, education, IT, agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, healthcare, and cultural exchange.
He argued that stronger parliamentary ties would reinforce the diplomatic and economic relationship already developing between the two countries, calling for more frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations, sharing of legislative experience, and closer coordination between parliamentary committees to build mutual understanding.
The Bulgarian ambassador thanked the Pakistani Parliament for its hospitality and expressed satisfaction with the discussions, noting that Bulgaria values its relationship with Pakistan and is keen to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He also praised the friendship group’s role in fostering closer ties and understanding between the two nations.
Misbah Khar highlighted how parliamentary friendship groups help build people-to-people connections and strengthen dialogue between legislatures, stressing the importance of women’s leadership and youth involvement in advancing bilateral relations. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with Bulgaria through continued parliamentary engagement and suggested exploring a memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ friendship groups to formalize future cooperation. She also commended the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference initiative led by the Chairman Senate, focused on the theme of peace, security, and development, and praised Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani’s efforts to advance parliamentary diplomacy through such groups.
Senate Secretary Syed Hasnain Haider spoke about the Senate Secretariat’s role in supporting stronger institutional ties between the two parliaments, emphasizing knowledge exchange, capacity building, and closer cooperation between parliamentary secretariats to strengthen legislative processes.
Participants also explored opportunities to grow bilateral trade, encourage business connections, support academic and research partnerships, and deepen collaboration on cultural heritage, climate resilience, and sustainable development, along with digital innovation, vocational training, and tourism.
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Both sides agreed to continue strengthening parliamentary relations through regular exchanges and joint initiatives, and to work toward a broader roadmap covering education, economic development, cultural diplomacy, innovation, and parliamentary capacity building.
The meeting closed with both countries reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral relations through active parliamentary cooperation, mutual respect, and continued collaboration in support of regional peace and sustainable development.
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.
