Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani made an urgent appeal on Monday for Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan to transform their parliaments into “platforms of conscience, clarity and courage,” calling for united action to address the “storms of adversity” facing the Muslim world, particularly in Palestine and Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Addressing the Third Tripartite Speakers’ Meeting of the three nations as a special guest at the Parliament House, Gilani asserted that their shared vision for regional progress is both a message and a mission for peace. The high-level meeting convened under the theme ‘Strengthening Fraternal Ties: Parliamentary Cooperation for Regional Peace, Security and Prosperity.’
The Senate Chairman commended Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for gathering the three fraternal countries at a crucial juncture. He underscored that their collaboration reflects a profound bond of faith and a common destiny.
‘From the Khilafat Movement that united Muslims across continents, to Pakistan’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, and Turkiye’s steadfast advocacy for Kashmir’s just cause – our histories have converged whenever justice called,’ Mr. Gilani stated, highlighting the deep-rooted historical ties based on mutual respect.
Recalling his tenure as Prime Minister, Gilani shared that he had engaged with leaders from both Turkiye and Azerbaijan on numerous occasions, reaffirming the long-standing bonds. He remarked that the meeting’s theme was close to his heart due to his firm belief in the power of “dialogue, dignity, and democracy.”
In light of contemporary challenges, he called for enhanced collaboration in security, commerce, education, technology, and cultural exchanges. Such partnerships, he noted, would build bridges of understanding founded on trust and shared principles.
Gilani also informed the participants about the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) scheduled to be held in Islamabad next month, describing it as a continuation of the collective vision for peace, security, and development.
‘No nation can secure its future in isolation, just as no man can walk alone through a storm,’ he articulated, emphasizing the necessity of collective action. He described peace and prosperity as continuous journeys for companion nations guided by a shared purpose.
Concluding his address, the Chairman Senate expressed his gratitude to the visiting speakers from the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye and the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan. He conveyed his hope that their discussions would yield solid outcomes, enhancing mutual cooperation, promoting people-to-people contact, and strengthening parliamentary linkages among the three states.