The Advisor to the Chairman Senate, Ms. Misbah Khar, met with the Belgian Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Charles-Idesbald van der Gracht de Rommerswael, to explore opportunities for enhancing parliamentary cooperation and to discuss preparations for an upcoming major international forum in Islamabad. Both officials expressed a shared commitment to deepening ties between Pakistan and Belgium through strengthened parliamentary relations and increased people-to-people exchanges.
During the meeting, Ms. Khar outlined the objectives and vision of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), an emerging global platform designed to encourage collaboration among parliaments from around the world. With participation from 45 parliamentary speakers representing different regions, the ISC aims to foster connectivity and meaningful dialogue on pressing international issues.
She informed the Ambassador that the Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, was recently elected as the inaugural President of the ISC during elections held in Malaysia. This unanimous election highlights Pakistan’s active leadership role in promoting effective global parliamentary diplomacy.
The discussion also focused on the preparations for the upcoming ISC meeting, which will be hosted in Islamabad in November. Ms. Khar provided details about the conference agenda, proposed sessions, thematic priorities, and the anticipated attendance of high-level parliamentary delegations from across the world. She extended a formal invitation to Belgium’s parliamentary delegation to participate in the high-profile event.
Ms. Khar emphasized that the conference will serve as an important venue for parliamentary leaders to address major issues such as peace, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable development. She highlighted the conference’s mission to encourage impactful discussion and to develop actionable strategies for overcoming common global challenges.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their intent to further solidify parliamentary connections and cooperation between Pakistan and Belgium. Senior Director General (Protocol) Tariq bin Waheed also attended the meeting.
