The Pakistan–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), convened by Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, MNA/Convener PFG, held an in-depth briefing session at the Parliament House, Islamabad. The session focused on reviewing the current state of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada, exploring avenues to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and identifying key sectors for expanding bilateral trade and economic collaboration.

 

The session was attended by Members of the PFG, including Syed Naveed Qamar (virtual), Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Barrister Danyal Chaudhary, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Ms. Asia Naz Tanoli, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro (virtual), Muhammad Khan Daha (virtual), Ms. Shagufta Jumani, Dr. Nelson Azeem (virtual), Mr. Naveed Aamir Jeeva, Malik Awais Jakhar(virtual), Ms. Huma Akhtar Chughtai, and Ms. Erum Hamid Hameed (virtual).

 

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada delivered a comprehensive briefing to the Group on the current status of bilateral relations, ongoing trade cooperation and areas of economic collaboration.

 

The Convener, Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, highlighted the absence of a counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Canadian Parliament and urged Pakistan’s High Commissioner to convey this to the Canadian side for the establishment of a counterpart PFG. She described this as a first step towards institutionalizing parliamentary relations between the two countries.

 

She emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral ties through enhanced institutional linkages and sustained engagement between the two Parliaments.

 

Members of the Group emphasized the importance of enhancing high-level parliamentary exchanges, promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural connectivity, as well as facilitating student exchange programs and expanding scholarship opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties. They also called for exploring joint ventures in sports diplomacy, capacity-building initiatives and youth development programs to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations.

 

The Pakistan–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group reaffirmed its resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations through robust parliamentary diplomacy and practical cooperation across diverse sectors.