The Pakistan Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group convened its inaugural briefing on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at Parliament House in Islamabad, led by Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, MNA and Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture.
Officials from Pakistan’s Mission in Bern, including the Ambassador, and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce briefed members on the state of bilateral relations. Discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation, expanding trade and investment, deepening cultural and academic linkages and promoting tourism between Pakistan and Switzerland.
Participants were reminded that Switzerland remains a major investor in Pakistan, ranking as the sixth largest source of foreign investment, with multinational firms such as Nestlé, Roche and Novartis operating in the country. Emphasis was placed on practical steps to translate investment potential into enhanced business-to-business linkages and tangible economic partnerships.
In her remarks, the convener highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy and vocational and educational cooperation in advancing bilateral ties. She called for more people-to-people exchanges and directed Pakistan’s Mission in Switzerland to pursue the formation of a counterpart Swiss parliamentary friendship group to facilitate sustained legislative engagement.
Members urged proactive measures to deepen parliamentary cooperation and to create avenues for private sector collaboration. The contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Switzerland was acknowledged as a cornerstone for stronger economic and cultural connections, and delegates discussed ways to better leverage this community for trade, investment and academic exchange.
The Group reaffirmed its commitment to advance Pakistan Switzerland relations through targeted parliamentary outreach, broader economic partnerships and enhanced cooperation across diverse sectors. Attendees included Mr. Rana Mubashir Iqbal, Federal Minister for Public Affairs Unit, Ms. Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Ms. Neelam and Ms. Gulnaz Shahzadi, who all expressed support for follow-up initiatives between the two parliaments.
