Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, during his official visit, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia through parliamentary diplomacy, political engagement, and people-to-people cooperation.
The Chairman Senate was accompanied by Senators Dr. Zarqa Suharwady Taimoor , Abid Sher Ali and Zameer Hussain Ghumro and Advisor to Chairman Senate and Ambassador for ISC Misbah Khar during the meeting.
The Chairman conveyed, on behalf of the Senate of Pakistan, warm greetings and profound respect to His Majesty and expressed deep appreciation for the King’s gracious leadership, moral authority, and dedication to national unity, cultural heritage, and the well-being of the Cambodian people.
Chairman Gilani reaffirmed the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Cambodia, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests, and commended Cambodia’s constructive role in regional cooperation and inter-parliamentary dialogue.
Recalling his longstanding engagement with Cambodia, the Chairman highlighted his participation in the Asia Pacific Cambodia Conference (2019) as former Prime Minister of Pakistan, his courtesy meeting with then-Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and his July 2023 visit to Cambodia to attend the International Leadership Conference and observe the general elections as an international observer. He noted that these engagements reflect Pakistan’s consistent support for democratic processes and international parliamentary cooperation.
The Chairman also recalled recent high-level interactions, including meetings on the sidelines of international forums, as well as growing political and diplomatic engagement between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952.
Emphasizing parliamentary cooperation, Chairman Gilani stressed that parliamentary engagement can play a catalytic role in advancing trade facilitation, investment promotion, and regional connectivity.
The Chairman highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in parliamentary diplomacy through the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) in 2025 and appreciated Cambodia’s active participation in the inaugural ISC Conference held in Islamabad in November 2025. He welcomed Cambodia’s expression of interest in further engagement within the ISC framework.
Chairman Gilani also noted the potential for expanding trade and economic cooperation, strengthening defence and security dialogue, enhancing collaboration on climate change and sustainable development, and promoting people-to-people and cultural ties, including shared Buddhist heritage linked to Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization.
Later, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met His Excellency Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy, political dialogue, and people-to-people cooperation.
He thanked the Cambodian leadership for their warm hospitality.
Chairman Gilani highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Pakistan and Cambodia, based on mutual respect, shared interests, and close cooperation in multilateral fora. He expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s support for Pakistan’s election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term, and acknowledged Cambodia’s role in supporting Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN, including its Sectoral Dialogue Partner status and membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
The Chairman emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, recalling the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Senates of both countries and underscoring the importance of Parliamentary Friendship Groups, committee-level exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives.
He welcomed Cambodia’s active participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) held in Islamabad in November 2025 and highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, defence and security, climate resilience, and cultural exchanges, including shared Buddhist heritage rooted in Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization.
Chairman Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Cambodia in pursuit of peace, regional stability, and inclusive development.
