News Detail
Event Title: Pakistani parliamentary delegation comprising Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Husna Bano, Senator Rahat Jamali and Advisor to the Chairman Senate Ms. Misbah Khar witnessing the proceedings of the Senate of Philippines.
Event Date: 2026-08-04
The Pakistani parliamentary delegation, comprising Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Husna Bano, Senator Rahat Jamali, Advisor to the Chairman Senate Ms. Misbah Khar, and other members of the delegation, also visited the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, where they witnessed the proceedings of the Senate. The delegation was warmly welcomed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and acknowledged during the Senate sitting, reflecting the cordial relations between the two countries and their shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and institutional cooperation.
Ms. Khar congratulated the Philippines on the celebration of 76 years of diplomatic relations and appreciated its continued support for Pakistan's engagement with ASEAN. Both sides emphasized expanding parliamentary exchanges through friendship groups, committee-level cooperation, staff exchanges, and participation in regional and international parliamentary forums.
Highlighting Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani's vision for parliamentary diplomacy, Ms. Khar briefed the Senate President on the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference (ISC) and the historic Islamabad Communiqué, while appreciating the participation of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the inaugural conference.
The meeting also explored opportunities to enhance bilateral trade, investment, education, tourism, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts, while underscoring cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, halal food, information technology, and other emerging sectors. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration in defence, counter-terrorism, regional peace, and multilateral cooperation.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the growing engagement between the two countries and expressed confidence that stronger parliamentary cooperation would further deepen the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and the Philippines.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared resolve to further expand cooperation across parliamentary, political, economic, educational, and cultural spheres for the mutual benefit of both countries.