The Pakistan–Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group convened its inaugural briefing at Parliament House in Islamabad on March 5 under the leadership of Ms. Shamaila Rana, MNA, with members including Mr. Daniyal Ahmed, Mr. Ahmad Atteeq Anwer, Ms. Samar Haroon Bilour, Ms. Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Ms. Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, Ms. Shazia Farid, Ms. Natasha Daultana, Ms. Neelam Kumari and Ms. Saeeda Jamshid in attendance. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce participated in person while Pakistan’s Ambassador to Cambodia joined the session virtually.
In her opening remarks the Convener welcomed participants and underscored the importance of strengthening parliamentary engagement between Pakistan and Cambodia, noting that Parliamentary Friendship Groups provide a practical platform to deepen dialogue between legislatures and to expand ties between the peoples of both countries. She expressed optimism that the Pakistan Cambodia PFG would foster sustained parliamentary interaction and help identify concrete areas for cooperation.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a detailed briefing and observed that high-level interactions have been limited historically, but that Cambodia has shown growing interest in enhancing cooperation with Pakistan. The delegation highlighted Pakistan’s offer to facilitate the opening of a Cambodian diplomatic mission in Pakistan and suggested that a stronger institutional presence could accelerate bilateral engagement. The briefing also recalled that Pakistan was among the early countries to recognize Cambodia and has maintained friendly, cooperative relations.
Members were informed that bilateral cooperation has been developing through trade-related mechanisms and institutional dialogue, with the Second Joint Trade Commission meeting and ministerial-level contacts helping to identify new avenues for collaboration. The briefing pointed to clear opportunities in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather goods and travel-related products where increased economic engagement could benefit both countries.
During discussion participants stressed the role of parliamentary diplomacy and the need to strengthen people-to-people links as a foundation for deeper bilateral ties. Lawmakers highlighted priorities for practical collaboration in trade, tourism, education, information technology and cultural exchange, and agreed to pursue follow-up measures aimed at translating the PFG’s agenda into sustained cooperation between Pakistan and Cambodia.
