The Pakistan–Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) convened a key meeting with the Thai Ambassador to Pakistan at Parliament House in Islamabad, signaling renewed efforts to bolster bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The session brought together senior parliamentarians, government officials, and stakeholders from both sides to discuss deepening ties in various sectors, including trade, education, tourism, and technology.
Chaired by Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, Deputy Convener of the PFG, the meeting highlighted the important role played by the Friendship Group as a platform for advancing parliamentary diplomacy. Raisani emphasized the historic links between Pakistan and Thailand, pointing out the cultural connections such as Pakistan’s Gandhara heritage, and stressed the need for increased collaboration in key sectors. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary engagement and proposed the creation of a similar friendship group in the Thai Parliament to institutionalize ties and enhance people-to-people contacts.
Thai Ambassador Rongvudhi Virabutr acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment and expressed Thailand’s ambition to double bilateral trade, expand tourism and cultural exchanges, and build stronger business-to-business relations. He also underscored the crucial need to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations, pointing to areas of traditional cooperation like fisheries, sports goods, and auto parts, as well as new opportunities in the services sector and the halal food industry, in view of Thailand’s significant Muslim population.
Discussions covered practical measures such as increasing the frequency of direct flights and streamlining visa procedures to enhance connectivity and make cross-border travel and business more accessible. Both sides agreed on fostering a more business-friendly environment to facilitate joint ventures and investment.
Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group and attending officials reaffirmed their dedication to energizing bilateral relations through proactive parliamentary engagement and actionable cooperation. The participants expressed optimism that consistent parliamentary exchanges and collaboration would serve as a driving force for deeper people-to-people ties and a robust, long-term partnership between Pakistan and Thailand.
