Islamabad, September 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):The first joint virtual meeting between the Pakistan-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan with the Australia-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Parliament of Australia was held on Thursday, 23rd September, 2021 at 1100 Hours at Committee Room No.5, Parliament House, and Islamabad. The agenda of the meeting was to explore ways and means for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries especially in wake of ongoing pandemic.
The meeting was chaired jointly by Ms. Mariam Aurangzeb Convener, Pakistan – Australia PFG and Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed from Senate of Pakistan. Mr. Rowan Ramsey, President Australia -Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee chaired the meeting from the Australian Parliament. H.E. Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia and his counterpart Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr. Geoffrey Shaw also attended the virtual meeting.
Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed during the joint virtual meeting. During the course of meeting it was recommended that the both friendship groups in the Parliament of Pakistan in consultation with the Pakistan High Commission in Canberra and Australia-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the Parliament of Australia would prepare a working paper to explore possibilities to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries. The members of both sides agreed to develop a framework for further action.
Ms. Mariam Aurangzeb also highlighted that Parliamentary Friendship Groups of both countries can play a pivotal role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy, people to people contact and promoting parliamentary relations through parliamentary exchanges from both countries. Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed emphasized on the need for exploring new avenues of cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. The issues related to Pakistani students, studying in various Australian institutions were also raised and Australian side was requested to facilitate in solving problems faced by Pakistani students.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk