Report: ANI
ISLAMABAD — Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for further strengthening Pakistan-Australia relations through enhanced parliamentary exchanges, trade and investment, education, defence cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Timothy Kane at Parliament House, Islamabad.
Chairman Gilani said Pakistan highly values its longstanding and cordial relations with Australia, highlighting shared democratic values, Commonwealth traditions, bicameral parliamentary systems and strong people-to-people linkages.
He appreciated Australia’s contribution to Pakistan’s development, education and human resource development, and acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Australia.
Chairman Gilani briefed the High Commissioner on the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), of which he is the Founding Chairman. He said the first ISC was held in Pakistan, the second in Cambodia, while the third conference is scheduled to be held in Indonesia in February 2027.
The Chairman stressed the need to explore greater cooperation in agri-tech, renewable energy, fintech, minerals, textiles, IT services and food products, and called for stronger linkages between the business communities and chambers of commerce of both countries.
He also emphasized enhanced cooperation in higher education, scholarships, joint research, climate change, disaster management, cybersecurity, maritime security and peacekeeping. He underscored the importance of constructive diplomacy, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane expressed Australia’s desire to further strengthen bilateral and parliamentary cooperation with Pakistan and appreciated Chairman Gilani’s efforts to promote closer ties between the two countries.
