At the National Assembly Secretariat in Islamabad on 12 March 2026, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Secretary Dr. Shahida Rehmani met with German Ambassador Ina Lepel and First Secretary for Human Rights and Migration Violetta Anand Kuzmova to discuss measures for deeper parliamentary cooperation between Pakistan and Germany.
Dr. Shahida Rehmani briefed the delegation on the caucus’s mandate as a cross‑party platform that advances gender equality, strengthens women’s political participation, and promotes legislation and policies to protect and empower women and girls across Pakistan. She stressed how sustained collaboration can amplify the caucus’s work at national and constituency levels.
Ambassador Ina Lepel welcomed the caucus’s efforts and outlined Germany’s ongoing programmes in Pakistan, highlighting priorities such as access to justice, skill development, and climate resilience. She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting institutional strengthening, inclusive growth, and expanded opportunities for communities in Pakistan.
Both sides underscored the value of practical exchanges to promote parliamentary cooperation, proposing learning visits and virtual dialogues between women parliamentarians of the National Assembly and members of the German Bundestag. Such interactions were described as a way to share policy perspectives, best practices, and approaches to women’s leadership and democratic governance.
The meeting was attended by the Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights Dr. Nikhat Shakeel; WPC Treasurer Ms. Shahida Begum; Parliamentary Secretaries Ms. Farah Naz Akbar and Ms. Zeb Jaffar; MNAs Syeda Shehla Raza, Ms. Rana Ansar, Ms. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Naeema Kishwer Khan, Ms. Farakh Khan; and Senators Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy and Ms. Fawzia Arshad, reflecting broad parliamentary interest in strengthening ties.
The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding support to Pakistan’s development and reaffirmed its commitment to deepen parliamentary cooperation to advance human rights, women’s empowerment, and inclusive policymaking across the country.
