ISLAMABAD – The German Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Ina Lepel, met with the Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, at the Parliament House on Tuesday, with discussions centering on strengthening bilateral relations, regional security, and shared global challenges.
The dialogue reinforced the long-standing cooperative relationship between the two nations, with a mutual agreement to enhance parliamentary exchanges as a cornerstone for deeper collaboration.
Pakistan Highlights Democratic and Green Governance Milestones
Speaker Sadiq detailed significant achievements of the Pakistani Parliament, announcing its distinction as the world’s first parliament fully powered by solar energy. He positioned this as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action.
Further underscoring a commitment to inclusive governance, Sadiq highlighted the work of dedicated parliamentary bodies, including the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and the Child Rights Caucus. He also informed the Ambassador of the newly formed Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, established to advance legislative reforms for women’s empowerment.
Regional Security and Counter-Terrorism Dominate Dialogue
A substantial part of the meeting focused on regional stability. Speaker Sadiq expressed serious concern over a recent surge in terrorist incidents within Pakistan, stating that their origins have been “traced to Afghanistan.”
He emphasized that the misuse of Afghan territory for cross-border terrorism remains a “serious regional challenge,” while also noting Pakistan’s four-decade-long hosting of over four million Afghan refugees as evidence of its “humanitarian commitment.”
Sadiq reiterated Pakistan’s “unparalleled sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” and affirmed the country’s unwavering dedication to combating extremism and promoting regional peace.
A Forward-Looking Bilateral Agenda
On the economic and social front, both parties expressed a desire to expand cooperation. Ambassador Lepel commended Pakistan’s democratic progress and its ongoing reforms, particularly those aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting children’s rights.
She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to enhancing parliamentary engagement and expanding collaboration in economic and social sectors with Pakistan.
The meeting concluded on a constructive note, with both officials affirming the role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding and addressing common global issues such as climate change, for which Sadiq called for intensified international collaborative efforts.
BY: The Times Union
