Pakistan, Australia Vow to Strengthen Bilateral Ties Through Trade, Education, and Parliamentary Cooperation

Chairman of the Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, met Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins on Monday to hold wide-ranging discussions on expanding bilateral relations and identifying new avenues of cooperation.The talks focused on diverse areas including trade, education, defence, parliamentary exchanges, cultural collaboration, climate change, and people-to-people linkages.Gilani highlighted the historic nature of Pakistan-Australia relations, recalling that diplomatic ties established in 1948 have steadily grown over the decades. He noted that both nations share democratic values and a bicameral parliamentary system, which provide a strong foundation for deeper engagement.
The Senate Chairman appreciated the outgoing High Commissioner’s services, particularly in advancing educational and cultural cooperation. Stressing the importance of parliamentary
friendship groups, he emphasized that regular delegation exchanges would further build trust and goodwill.On trade, Gilani pointed out that the bilateral trade volume of USD 2.5 billion has significant potential for growth. He proposed enhanced cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, mineral resources, and IT. He also called for the creation of a joint forum for chambers of commerce to strengthen business-to-business linkages.
Gilani underscored the need for deeper defence cooperation and acknowledged Australia’s development assistance. On climate change, he noted Pakistan’s vulnerability, particularly after devastating floods, and urged for joint strategies to address global climate challenges.
He also emphasized strong people-to-people ties, with the Pakistani diaspora in Australia contributing to economic growth. Gilani invited Australian parliamentary leadership to attend the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) in November, describing their participation as vital.Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing bilateral relations and cooperating for peace, development, and mutual prosperity.