Islamabad: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, at the Parliament House to discuss enhancing bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and global issues.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, during the meeting, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to building strong diplomatic ties with Australia, highlighting the role of parliamentary diplomacy in expanding these relations. He noted the importance of parliamentary exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries and acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistan-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group. Sadiq also reiterated Pakistan’s constitutional commitment to protecting the rights of all communities and praised the Women Parliamentary Caucus and the Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals for their active roles.

The meeting also addressed political stability, with Sadiq mentioning the Charter of Parliament, aimed at promoting harmony between government and opposition parties. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of all parliamentary parties in this initiative, including the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Sadiq encouraged Australian investment in Pakistan’s agriculture, energy, tourism, and infrastructure sectors, pointing out the vast opportunities available. He also called for increased business exchanges between the two countries.

Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins acknowledged the historical ties between Australia and Pakistan, expressing Australia’s commitment to Pakistan’s prosperity. He praised Pakistan’s natural beauty and the steps taken to empower women and youth, while also recognizing the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in Australia.

Both officials conveyed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Australia relations and their commitment to fostering deeper cooperation across various sectors.