MANILA: Senator Abdul Qadir, who is leading Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation, called on President of the Senate of the Philippines Sherwin Gatchalian during his official visit to Manila.
The meeting was attended by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Philippines Dr Asima Rabbani, and parliamentarians from the Senate of the Philippines.
During the meeting, Senator Abdul Qadir conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Chairman Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. He also extended an invitation to the President of the Philippine Senate to visit Pakistan.
Senator Abdul Qadir expressed Pakistan’s heartfelt condolences over the recent devastating floods in the Philippines and reaffirmed solidarity with the Filipino people.
Highlighting the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, he said Pakistan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Groups had already been established in both the Senate and the National Assembly of Pakistan. He encouraged the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives to take similar steps to formalise and institutionalise friendly ties, providing a permanent framework for regular parliamentary engagement.
Both sides agreed on the need to enhance exchanges of parliamentary delegations and high-level visits to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen cooperation between the two legislatures.
They also discussed expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic relations through structured dialogue, while exploring new avenues for commercial cooperation.
Earlier, the Pakistani delegation received a warm welcome during the session of the Senate of the Philippines, reflecting the growing friendship and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the Philippines.
