2 weeks Ago By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD - Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani met with Sahiba Gafarova, Chair of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent. The meeting served to reinforce the strong brotherly ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan and explore new avenues for enhanced parliamentary, economic and political cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat.During the meeting, both sides lauded the growing collaboration between their respective parliaments, including the formation of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group and the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Speaker NA to Azerbaijan in the second half of 2025.
Chairman Gilani also emphasized Pakistan’s interest in hosting the Third Trilateral Speakers’ Forum with Azerbaijan and Türkiye later this year. The leaders acknowledged the importance of high-level political exchanges, particularly the reciprocal visits by PM Shehbaz Sharif to Azerbaijan (Feb 2025) and President Ilham Aliyev to Pakistan (July 2024), which yielded significant agreements across multiple sectors. President Aliyev’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan in April 2025 is also eagerly anticipated.
Discussions included a review of bilateral trade ties, with Senator Gilani underscoring the need to unlock the full potential of economic cooperation. He welcomed the success of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Business Forum held in Baku in February, which convened over 150 business leaders and investors. Connectivity and people-to-people ties were also highlighted, with over 72,000 Pakistanis visiting Azerbaijan in 2024, and the increase in direct flights between the two nations facilitating further exchange.
In addition to trade and cultural engagement, the two sides emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation in the areas of regional security, counterterrorism and combating extremism. Gilani also highlighted the potential for collaboration in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy and oil and gas. Both parties reaffirmed their mutual support on core issues, with Pakistan reiterating its firm stance in support of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabagh.
Gilani appreciated Azerbaijan’s consistent backing of Pakistan’s position on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K), particularly through the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir. The chair of the Milli Majlis and accompanying delegates extended heartfelt congratulations to the chairman on being designated Founder President of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) in Malaysia, recognizing it as a testament to Pakistan’s rising stature in international parliamentary diplomacy. In a further step toward institutionalizing cooperation, Senate Chairman Gilani was also invited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on inter-parliamentary diplomacy, aimed at formalizing bilateral engagement, fostering dialogue, and creating new avenues for strategic parliamentary partnership.
In conclusion, the two parliamentary leaders agreed to continue strengthening bilateral engagement through sustained dialogue, increased exchanges, and a shared commitment to democratic values, peace and regional cooperation. Forum of Information Group Secretaries mourns passing of Khawaja Ejaz Separately, the Senate chairman held a meeting with the Speaker of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the moot. During the meeting, Gilani extended warm greetings and appreciation to the government and Parliament of Uzbekistan for their outstanding hosting of the IPU Assembly.
He acknowledged Uzbekistan’s growing role in promoting international parliamentary diplomacy and regional cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed the historical and cultural ties that bind Pakistan and Uzbekistan, rooted in centuries of trade, scholarship, and shared heritage. The meeting also focused on advancing economic cooperation.
Both sides expressed optimism about the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and discussed potential collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and information technology. The chairman underscored the strategic importance of regional connectivity initiatives, particularly the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan railway project, as a vital trade corridor for the region. Under Chairman Gilani’s leadership, Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation made a strong mark at the IPU Assembly, with three members securing key positions on influential IPU committees.
Senator Farooq H. Naek was re-elected to the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani was elected to the Bureau of Young Parliamentarians, and Aqeel Malik, MNA, was appointed to the high-level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. NA likely to start debate on forced repatriation issue tomorrow Tags: pakistan azerbaijan vow.
