ISLAMABAD/BAKU, AZERBAIJAN, OCT 30 (DNA): On the sidelines of International Parliamentary Conference dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the constitution of Azerbaijan, Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, met with Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The meeting reaffirmed the historic and time-tested brotherly ties between Pakistan and the UAE, rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and deep religious and cultural bonds.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, underscoring the importance of further strengthening parliamentary cooperation as a means to enhance mutual understanding and promote peace, stability, and development in the region.
Chairman Gilani recalled his earlier cordial meeting with H.E. Saqr Ghobash on the sidelines of the Third South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat in April 2025, terming it a productive engagement that laid strong foundations for sustained inter-parliamentary collaboration between the two friendly nations.
Highlighting his personal association with UAE-Pakistan relations, the Chairman Senate noted that during his tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, special emphasis was placed on expanding cooperation with the UAE across diverse sectors.
The two leaders acknowledged the historic ties between Pakistan and the UAE, which date back to the founding of the UAE in 1971. Chairman Gilani paid tribute to the visionary leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose enduring legacy of brotherhood continues to inspire the relations between the two countries.
He appreciated the recent signing of 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and the UAE in April 2025, covering critical sectors including trade, mining, banking, and cultural exchange.
Chairman Gilani noted that the UAE remains Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $10.9 billion in FY 2023–24, reflecting a 41% growth in Pakistan’s exports. He encouraged further Emirati investment in Pakistan’s strategic sectors such as railways, renewable energy, and smart agriculture under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) framework.
He also expressed deep appreciation for the UAE’s decision to grant five-year multiple-entry visas to 100,000 Pakistani citizens, terming it a commendable gesture that will further strengthen social and economic ties between the two nations.
During the meeting, the Chairman Senate extended a formal invitation to H.E. Saqr Ghobash to participate in the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) being hosted by the Senate of Pakistan in Islamabad from 10–12 November 2025. He emphasized that the Conference will serve as a vital platform for exchanging views on peace, security, sustainable development, and parliamentary cooperation.
Chairman Gilani commended the leadership of Speaker Saqr Ghobash and welcomed the continued collaboration through parliamentary friendship groups and proposed new initiatives such as joint research programs and bilateral virtual seminars on key global challenges including climate change, education, and renewable energy.
The two leaders also exchanged views on pressing regional and global developments. Chairman Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence in South Asia and reiterated the country’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, calling for its resolution in accordance with international laws and UN Security Council resolutions. He categorically rejected India’s baseless allegations regarding the Pahalgam incident and condemned the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a politically motivated and destabilizing act.
On the situation in Palestine, Chairman Gilani expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent escalation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He lauded the UAE’s leadership in co-founding the Parliamentary Group in Solidarity with Palestine, which has become an influential voice for peace and justice.
Concluding the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the Pakistan-UAE partnership through enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, economic collaboration, and people-to-people engagement. Chairman Gilani invited UAE tourists to visit Pakistan’s rich cultural and historical landmarks such as Multan, Lahore, Thatta, Hunza, and Mohenjo-Daro, to strengthen cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
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