Gilani reaffirms importance of Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, calls for stronger institutional cooperation

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani, on Tuesday reaffirmed that Pakistan attached immense importance to its historic, fraternal, and enduring relations with Bangladesh.

He expressed these views during an interactive session held at here Parliament House, under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor Initiative with officers and participants of the Executive Development Programme from Bangladesh.

Welcoming the visiting delegation, the chairman emphasized that sustained engagement, institutional partnerships, and enhanced people-to-people contacts remained essential for fostering mutual understanding, regional harmony, and shared prosperity.

He commended the efforts of the Civil Services academy and partner institutions for organizing the exchange programme, describing it as a significant initiative aimed at deepening professional cooperation, administrative learning, and institutional connectivity between the two countries.

The Chairman Senate expressed particular satisfaction that the delegation was led by a woman officer, calling it a commendable reflection of women's empowerment and inclusive governance within public administration.

He observed that women have consistently played a pivotal role in national development and decision-making processes. Recalling his public service career, he stated that he has always championed women's leadership and entrusted women officers with key administrative responsibilities, both during his tenure as

Prime Minister of Pakistan and in his current role as Chairman Senate.

Highlighting the expanding scope of parliamentary cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Chairman Senate noted that both nations shared common aspirations for peace, stability, democratic progress, and economic development. Referring to Bangladesh’s interest in evolving toward a bicameral parliamentary structure, he stated that Pakistan stood ready to share its parliamentary experience and institutional expertise.

In his capacity as President of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), he expressed his desire to work closely with the speaker of the Bangladesh Parliament to strengthen parliamentary engagement and institutional collaboration.

He welcomed the possibility of launching training and capacity-building programmes for officials of the Jatiya Sangsad at PIPS, terming it a meaningful step toward enhanced inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The Chairman of the Senate further observed that modern governance systems today face unprecedented challenges, including economic uncertainty, climate pressures, and rising public expectations. In this context, he underscored the importance of responsive institutions, constitutional balance, transparency, and effective coordination among parliament, the executive, and civil services.

He remarked that parliament represents the aspirations of the people through legislation, oversight, and accountability, while the executive provides policy direction and the civil service ensures continuity and efficient public service delivery.

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Effective governance, he stressed, became possible only when all state institutions work collectively with shared purpose, institutional harmony, and mutual trust.

Addressing the participants, the Chairman stated that today’s civil servants must not only administer effectively but also innovate, adapt, and respond proactively to rapidly evolving global realities.

He added that exchange programmes such as the Executive Development Programme would create valuable avenues for professional learning, policy dialogue, institutional networking, and long-term understanding among public servants across the region.

Reiterating the importance of regional engagement, the Chairman Senate stated that Pakistan and Bangladesh possessed enormous human and institutional potential and could jointly contribute toward regional stability, stronger governance frameworks, and sustainable development through continued dialogue, cooperation, and constructive interaction.

He also briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s constitutional evolution and the role of the Senate as the House of Federation, ensuring equal representation of federating units within the parliamentary system.

He paid tribute to the visionary leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for their historic contributions toward strengthening Pakistan’s constitutional and democratic framework.

He further informed the delegation that he remained the only politician in Pakistan to have served in every major constitutional office of the country and also shared aspects of his personal legacy and longstanding connection with Bangladesh.

The Chairman also highlighted the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), of which he was the founding chairman. He underscored the continued relevance of the ISC theme, “Peace, Security and Development,” in addressing contemporary global and regional challenges. He called for greater parliamentary coordination, expanded people-to-people exchanges, and increased delegation visits between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Concluding the meeting, the Chairman of the Senate extended his best wishes to the visiting delegation and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral understanding, institutional linkages, and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“Long Live Pakistan–Bangladesh Friendship,” the Chairman of the Senate remarked.

The delegation thanked Chairman Senate for the insightful interaction and appreciated the warm hospitality and cooperation extended during their visit. The participants acknowledged the value of learning from his vast parliamentary, political, and administrative experience.