Arusha: Chairman Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in a meeting with Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu, Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, proposed the establishment of a resident Tanzanian diplomatic mission in Islamabad. The proposal, made during the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Arusha, aims to enhance diplomatic relations, trade, technology collaboration, and parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.

According to Press Information Department, Chairman Senate emphasized that a permanent diplomatic presence would facilitate bilateral engagement, including visas, business travel, and tourism, thereby promoting greater interaction between the people of Pakistan and Tanzania. He further advocated for a significant increase in bilateral trade and investment, urging stronger connections between the ports, business communities, and chambers of commerce of both countries.

The Chairman Senate pointed to potential areas for cooperation such as information technology, digital innovation, agriculture, education, and skills development, while also encouraging private-sector involvement to convert the existing goodwill into economic collaboration. He proposed the activation and strengthening of Parliamentary Friendship Groups and regular exchanges to foster institutional cooperation between the Senate of Pakistan and Tanzania’s National Assembly.

In addition to diplomatic and economic measures, Chairman Senate called for enhanced educational cooperation, including scholarships and academic exchanges for Tanzanian students, to build stronger youth and educational links. He congratulated Hon. Mussa Azzan Zungu on hosting the IPU Assembly and praised Tanzania’s efforts in promoting global parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy.

Chairman Senate reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering relations with Tanzania and the African continent, emphasizing that future relations should focus on trade, technology, parliamentary diplomacy, and people-to-people connectivity.