Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry today proposed the creation of a "Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group" during a high-level briefing session of the Pakistan-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) at Parliament House. The initiative aims to strengthen diplomatic and people-to-people contacts between the two nations.
Chaired by Convener Ms. Zahra Wadood Fatemi, MNA, the meeting brought together parliamentarians, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Canada H.E. Mr. Muhammad Saleem, Trade and Investment Counsellor Mr. Altamash Janjua, and senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce.
Barrister Danyal emphasized the strategic importance of institutionalizing parliamentary cooperation through the proposed group. "This initiative will serve as a vital bridge between our nations, leveraging the potential of our diaspora and creating sustainable mechanisms for bilateral engagement," he stated.
The Parliamentary Secretary outlined comprehensive proposals including the establishment of a dedicated facilitation desk for Pakistani scholarship students in Canada, enhanced sports and educational exchange programs, closer liaison with the Ministry of IT for technology sector collaboration, and joint health initiatives focusing on research and infrastructure development.
High Commissioner Saleem welcomed the proposal, noting that the "Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group" would significantly contribute to addressing current trade challenges and unlocking new investment opportunities.
Director General (Americas) Ms. Atiya Iqbal and Deputy Secretary (Americas) Mr. Taj Muhammad provided detailed insights into existing bilateral mechanisms and expressed support for the proposed group.
The session concluded with discussions on developing a comprehensive action plan to enhance inter-parliamentary exchanges, boost trade and investment through targeted initiatives, and explore new cooperation avenues in education, technology, and healthcare.
