Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, met with the Irish Ambassador, Mary O’Neill, at Parliament House in Islamabad, where both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between Pakistan and Ireland. The meeting focused on enhancing parliamentary exchanges to foster bilateral ties, as well as addressing the severe impact of recent climate-related disasters in Pakistan.
During the discussion, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized the importance of reinforcing parliamentary linkages, highlighting that closer engagement at the legislative level can play a crucial role in advancing mutual cooperation. He drew attention to the catastrophic floods currently affecting Pakistan, noting that despite the country’s negligible contribution to global carbon emissions, it remains among the most vulnerable nations to climate change. The Speaker remarked that this year’s floods have caused even more widespread destruction than the devastating floods of 2022, attributing the large-scale calamity to torrential rains and water flowing in from neighboring India.
Sadiq stressed the need for collective global action to tackle climate change and natural disasters, urging that such challenges must be addressed through joint efforts and international support. He pointed out that parliamentary diplomacy is a key platform for fostering dialogue and creating effective solutions for issues like climate resilience and disaster management.
Ambassador Mary O’Neill expressed her deep sympathy for the loss of life and property in Pakistan due to the floods. She assured Sadiq of Ireland’s commitment to supporting the rehabilitation of flood-affected communities. The Ambassador also acknowledged the positive role of the Pakistani community in Ireland, particularly their significant contributions to the health sector, describing their efforts as exemplary and praiseworthy.
The meeting concluded with both dignitaries reaffirming their desire to enhance cooperation and dialogue across multiple areas of mutual interest.
