ISLAMABAD: A meeting between the Pakistan-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group and H.E. Stéphane Rey, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, focused on enhancing parliamentary relations and exploring avenues for bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including climate change, tourism, and vocational training.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the meeting was led by Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, the convener of the group, and attended by several members of the National Assembly, including Federal Minister Rana Mubashar Iqbal and other parliamentarians. The discussion aimed at making the Parliamentary Friendship Group a productive platform for engagement, proposing the creation of a counterpart group in the Swiss Parliament, and exploring opportunities for virtual meetings and reciprocal visits.

Ambassador Stéphane Rey acknowledged the hospitality of Pakistan and emphasized the potential for deeper bilateral engagement. He discussed possibilities for cooperation in areas such as science and cultural heritage and stressed the importance of sharing knowledge on the challenges facing mountain communities due to climate change. The importance of strengthening Pakistan’s visibility in Switzerland was also noted.

Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group highlighted vocational education and skills development as key areas for collaboration, suggesting exchanges between training institutions and learning from Switzerland’s vocational training system. Discussions also encompassed economic cooperation, the role of Swiss companies in Pakistan, and the potential for collaboration in disaster preparedness.

Additional discussions focused on promoting Pakistan’s cultural heritage in Switzerland, including the possibility of a Gandhara-focused exhibition. The meeting also covered scholarships, student exchanges, and improving access to educational and professional opportunities. The exchange underscored the need for expanding trade and investment links and creating opportunities for Pakistani students and professionals.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to regular engagement between the two parliamentary groups and identifying specific themes for future collaboration, aiming to translate dialogue into practical initiatives in trade, education, cultural exchange, and disaster risk reduction, thereby strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and Switzerland.