News Detail
Event Title: Pakistan, Bangladesh Agree to Strengthen Parliamentary and Economic Cooperation at 153rd IPU Assembly
Event Date: 2026-10-08
Arusha: Chairman Senate of Pakistan and Head of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, H.E. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, held a bilateral meeting with the Honourable Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament on the sidelines of the 153rd IPU Assembly at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), Tanzania.
Chairman Senate congratulated the Bangladesh delegation on the election of Ms. Jasharat Adib Chowdhury as a Member of the IPU Executive Committee. He noted that Pakistan had extended its full support to her candidature during the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group on 5 October 2026, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation and stronger representation of the Asia-Pacific region within the IPU.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to its historic ties with Bangladesh, and we were pleased to support Bangladesh’s candidature. Ms. Chowdhury’s election strengthens the voice of our region within the IPU,” Chairman Gilani said.
During the meeting, the two sides expressed their shared resolve to inject fresh momentum into Pakistan-Bangladesh relations through sustained parliamentary engagement and practical cooperation.
Chairman Gilani emphasized greater interaction between the Parliaments, civil service academies, universities and policy institutions of the two countries. He recalled Pakistan’s recent hosting of a delegation of Bangladesh civil servants at the Civil Services Academy and the National School of Public Policy and proposed institutionalizing such exchanges on a regular basis.
Both sides agreed on the importance of further activating the Pakistan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Groups and increasing exchanges between parliamentarians of the two countries.
Chairman Senate also called for deeper economic engagement, particularly through stronger trade, investment and connectivity. He noted the opportunities created by improving maritime connectivity between Karachi and Chattogram and stressed the considerable untapped potential for cooperation in textiles, pharmaceuticals, jute, agriculture and other sectors of mutual interest.
The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in education and climate resilience, as well as closer coordination at regional and international parliamentary forums.
The Honourable Speaker of Bangladesh thanked Chairman Gilani for Pakistan’s support at the IPU and appreciated his warm sentiments. Both sides underscored the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in building mutual understanding and advancing cooperation on shared regional and global challenges.
Chairman Senate extended a cordial invitation to the Honourable Speaker of Bangladesh to visit Pakistan along with a parliamentary delegation.
The meeting concluded in a warm and brotherly atmosphere, reflecting the shared desire of both countries to strengthen bilateral relations through dialogue, parliamentary diplomacy and practical cooperation.
Members of Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation to the 153rd IPU Assembly were also present.