Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, today reaffirmed Pakistan”s principled position on the right to self-determination for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ and K) and its unwavering support for a sovereign Palestinian state, during a high-level meeting with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr. Tulia Ackson.
The meeting in New York served to underscore Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to parliamentary democracy, multilateralism, and global cooperation through its active engagement with the IPU.
Mr Gilani conveyed deep appreciation for the IPU”s historic role as a global voice for parliaments, describing the organisation as a vital platform for advancing dialogue, the rule of law, and inclusive governance. He highlighted the strong and long-standing partnership, evidenced by Pakistan”s active participation in IPU assemblies and committees.
The Chairman referred to Pakistan”s meaningful contributions at the 150th IPU Assembly in Tashkent in April 2025 and the successful hosting of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad in November 2025. He noted that the latter event, which resulted in the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Communiqué, demonstrated Pakistan”s growing stature in parliamentary diplomacy.
On domestic matters, Mr Gilani emphasised the Senate’s role in fostering inclusive legislation and safeguarding minority rights. He connected this to global goals by recalling Pakistan’s 2016 parliamentary resolution adopting the 2030 Agenda, expressing interest in further collaboration with the IPU on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-aligned legislation and oversight.
Addressing climate change, the Chairman underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability, referencing the devastating 2022 floods and subsequent extreme weather events. He called for closer collaboration with the IPU to build parliamentary capacity for climate-responsive legislation and disaster risk reduction.
Mr Gilani also commended the IPU”s focus on gender equality and women”s political empowerment. He pointed to Pakistan’s constitutional provisions for reserved seats for women in Parliament and highlighted the Benazir Income Support Programme as a key initiative for poverty reduction and women”s economic empowerment.
Reiterating a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, the Chairman detailed Pakistan’s position on global human rights issues. He called for the right to self-determination for the people of IIOJ and K in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and supported the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital.
Looking forward, the Chairman proposed a more structured engagement with the IPU, suggesting regular dialogues, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives to modernise parliamentary functions and facilitate staff-level exchanges.
In response, IPU President Dr. Tulia Ackson appreciated Pakistan”s active and constructive role within the organisation and welcomed continued cooperation.
The dialogue concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen the collaboration between Pakistan’s Parliament and the Inter-Parliamentary Union in pursuit of a more just, inclusive, and peaceful international order.