Pakistan Aims to Strengthen Bilateral Ties with Sweden: Chairman Senate Gilani

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further enhancing its bilateral relationship with Sweden, grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and common objectives.

In a meeting with Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Cannell Berg von Linde, Gilani emphasized Pakistan’s resolve to deepen cooperation across various domains, including inter-parliamentary collaboration, trade, and addressing global issues such as Islamophobia.

The Chairman Senate welcomed Ambassador Linde warmly, expressing Pakistan’s high regard for its longstanding relationship with Sweden, which has been defined by trust and mutual cooperation. He also highlighted the significance of the meeting, which marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring the strength and resilience of their partnership.

Gilani stressed the importance of further expanding cooperation in areas like political dialogue, trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

In particular, he pointed to the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary relations as a key component of bilateral ties, noting that parliamentary diplomacy is essential for building mutual understanding, sharing best practices, and promoting global peace and security. He called for regular exchange visits between parliamentary delegations from both countries to promote collaboration across various sectors.

The Chairman expressed satisfaction with the progress of economic cooperation between Pakistan and Sweden and invited Swedish companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s business-friendly environment.

Gilani also acknowledged the rising concern over Islamophobia globally and its adverse effects on peace and interfaith harmony. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to addressing Islamophobia on international platforms and called for joint efforts with Sweden to foster a more inclusive and tolerant world.

The Chairman emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges, particularly student exchange programs and scholarships, to foster closer ties and benefit from each other’s academic strengths. He further highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to combating climate change and collaborating with Sweden on renewable energy and sustainable development projects.

Gilani expressed optimism that through continued dialogue and collaboration, Pakistan and Sweden can achieve shared prosperity and contribute to global peace and stability.