Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized the need for stronger institutional connections between Pakistan and Ireland during his official visit to Ireland, where he met the newly elected Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy. The visit, which also includes Austria, features a high-level delegation from Pakistan.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the meeting aimed to enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation, focusing on legislative exchanges, governance, and transparency. Gilani commended Ireland’s Parliamentary Budget Office as a model for fiscal oversight, expressing Pakistan’s intent to establish a similar office. Discussions also touched on potential business collaborations and investment opportunities.

Gilani acknowledged Murphy’s historic role as the first female Speaker in Ireland and recalled the visit of Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister, to Ireland in 1994. He highlighted the need for Irish business delegations to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, stressing the country’s investor-friendly climate and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

Both leaders explored opportunities for collaboration through technical exchanges and virtual forums on fiscal policies. An invitation was extended to an Irish parliamentary delegation to visit Pakistan, signaling a commitment to ongoing engagement and democratic reforms.

Earlier, the Pakistan Ireland Business Council hosted a luncheon at Stephen’s Green Club in Dublin, attended by notable figures including Neale Richmond, the Irish Foreign Minister, and Aisha Farooqi, the Pakistani Ambassador. The event highlighted efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties, focusing on trade, investment, and cultural exchange.