German Ambassador Ina Lepel called on Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House in Islamabad on 26 November 2025 to discuss Pakistan–Germany relations and areas of mutual interest, with a clear emphasis on strengthening parliamentary ties.
The Speaker underlined the long-standing cooperative relationship between the two countries and stressed that parliamentary and people-to-people linkages are vital to deepening those bonds. Both sides agreed to expand parliamentary exchanges and dialogue to further entrench parliamentary ties and bilateral cooperation.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted that the Parliament of Pakistan is the first legislature in the world to be fully powered by solar energy, a symbol of the country’s commitment to sustainable development. He also reiterated Parliament’s focus on social justice and inclusive governance, noting active work by the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights to protect and advance the rights of women and children.
On regional security, the Speaker expressed grave concern over a recent surge in terrorist incidents in Pakistan and said linkages have been traced to Afghanistan, where misuse of territory poses a serious challenge. He recalled Pakistan’s humanitarian stance in hosting more than 4 million Afghan refugees over four decades despite significant economic constraints.
The Speaker affirmed that all religions categorically reject extremism and terrorism and argued that peaceful resolution of conflicts is essential for regional stability. He noted that parliamentary diplomacy has an important role to play in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening parliamentary ties between capitals and legislatures.
To advance gender equality, the Speaker informed the Ambassador that a Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, with representation from both Houses, has been formed to push legislative reforms and build institutional mechanisms for women’s empowerment. On climate, he drew attention to Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters and called for enhanced international collaboration to tackle this global challenge.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq underlined Pakistan’s contributions and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, saying the country has borne immense human and economic costs in pursuit of peace and security. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and to work for regional stability and constructive international cooperation.
The Ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s democratic progress and reform efforts and commended initiatives for gender equality and child protection. She reaffirmed Germany’s interest in deepening parliamentary engagement with Pakistan and expanding cooperation across economic and social sectors to support shared priorities.
