Report By Ali Raza Ghouri:
Pakistan–UK Parliamentary Cooperation at the 68th CPC:
Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, the chairman of the Pakistani Senate, met with the parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom. During the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The UK delegation was led by MP Kate Osamor. A member of parliament for the Labour Party and the chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Baroness Lindsay Northover, representing the Liberal Democrats and MP David Mundell, an Executive Member of the CPA and fellow Conservative. Lord Syed Salah Kamall, the Conservative Party’s Shadow Minister for Health, was also on the team.
Chairman Gilani was assisted by Senators Rubina Khalid, Mohsin Aziz, and Hon. Awais Qadir Shah, Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, who represented Pakistan. Chairman Gilani emphasized the close and complex relationship between Pakistan and the UK during the meeting and urged more inter-parliamentary cooperation within the CPA framework.
Discussion on Global Issues and Invitation:
Highlighting Pakistan’s principled position on important international issues. Chairman Gilani expressed worry over the situation in Palestine and emphasized the right of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions. In addition to calling for coordinated worldwide action to combat climate change. He implored the international community to continue its active engagement on peace and security issues, especially in Afghanistan.
He extended an invitation to the UK Parliament to attend the next Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference. Which is scheduled for November 11–12, 2025, in Islamabad. Parliamentary leaders from all across the world will gather at the conference to talk about common democratic values and current issues in governance.
The UK delegation recognized Pakistan’s continuous efforts to further regional peace, stability, and collaboration and commended its positive contribution to the CPA. In order to preserve the Commonwealth’s fundamental values of democracy, equality, and inclusivity, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing parliamentary communication and cooperating.