Pakistan, Bangladesh agree to deepen ties through parliamentary engagement

October 08, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to inject fresh momentum into bilateral relations through sustained parliamentary engagement and practical cooperation, with both sides underlining the role of parliamentary diplomacy in building mutual understanding and advancing cooperation on shared regional and global challenges.

Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, who heads Pakistan's parliamentary delegation to the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, held a bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament on the sidelines of the assembly at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Tanzania, according to a press release issued.

Members of the Pakistani delegation were also present.

Yousaf Raza Gilani congratulated the Bangladesh delegation on the election of Jasharat Adib Chowdhury to the IPU Executive Committee.

He noted that Pakistan had extended full support to her candidature at the Asia-Pacific Group meeting on October 5, 2026, reflecting its commitment to regional cooperation and stronger representation of the region within the IPU.

He added that Pakistan attaches great importance to its historic ties with Bangladesh.

Yousaf Raza Gilani called for 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 Bangladeshi civil servants at the Civil Services Academy and the National School of Public Policy, and proposed making such exchanges a regular feature.

Both sides agreed on the need to further activate the Pakistan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Groups and increase exchanges between parliamentarians.

On the economic front, Yousaf Raza Gilani pushed for stronger trade, investment and connectivity. He pointed to the opportunities created by improving maritime connectivity between Karachi and Chattogram, and to untapped potential in textiles, pharmaceuticals, jute, agriculture and other sectors.

The two sides also discussed expanding cooperation in education and climate resilience, along with closer coordination at regional and international parliamentary forums.

The Bangladesh Speaker thanked Yousaf Raza Gilani for Pakistan's support at the IPU.

Yousaf Raza Gilani invited the Speaker to visit Pakistan along with a parliamentary delegation.

Copyright Mettis Link News