Islamabad: At a reception hosted by Canadian High Commissioner H.E. Ms. Leslie Scanlon, Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized the importance of deepening the multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and Canada. The event, held at the High Commissioner’s residence in Islamabad, served as a platform to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors including trade, investment, security, and cultural exchanges.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions underscored the need for continued dialogue and collaboration to bolster the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Chairman Senate Gilani highlighted the critical role of parliamentary and high-level exchanges in fostering mutual understanding and expanding people-to-people contacts.

The reception also addressed specific areas such as the situation of Afghan refugees, the active participation of minority communities in Pakistan, and the simplification of the visa process to better facilitate applicants. Additionally, Chairman Senate called for the introduction of women-specific scholarships, which would enable Pakistani women to pursue higher education in renowned Canadian universities.

Chairman Senate expressed appreciation for Canada’s ongoing support in education and called for increased trade and business linkages, noting that there is considerable potential to explore new avenues of cooperation. Both the Senate Chairman and the Canadian High Commissioner expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between Pakistan and Canada.