Islamabad (TDI): Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani received Ethiopian Ambassador Dr. Jamal Beker Abdulla at Parliament House, where the two sides held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation, trade, investment, environmental challenges, and global developments.
As a symbol of friendship, Gilani, the Ethiopian envoy, and several senators planted a sapling in the Parliament House Friendship Garden as part of an ongoing tree plantation drive.
Chairman Senate Gilani emphasized that Pakistan and Ethiopia share long-standing and historic relations. He welcomed the establishment of the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad and the launch of direct Ethiopian Airlines flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa, terming them important milestones in strengthening bilateral ties.
He also stressed the early conclusion of the air services agreement to unlock new opportunities for trade and investment.
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Gilani expressed gratitude to Ethiopia for supporting Pakistan’s candidature for the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council (2025–26), noting that close cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums has consistently strengthened mutual relations.
Underscoring the role of parliamentary diplomacy, the Chairman Senate highlighted the active Pakistan–Ethiopia Parliamentary Friendship Group and called for enhanced exchanges between parliamentary delegations and people-to-people contacts.
He reaffirmed that economic diplomacy remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and urged greater efforts to diversify bilateral trade.
Chairman Senate Gilani also pointed to Pakistan’s globally renowned products, including high-quality rice, surgical and medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, and FIFA-standard footballs, as areas where Ethiopia could increase imports. He further identified promising opportunities for collaboration in information technology, science, education, and vocational training.
On climate change, Gilani appreciated Ethiopia’s Green Dialogue Program and emphasized the importance of joint initiatives for a sustainable and environmentally secure future.
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Concluding the meeting, Chairman Senate Gilani extended an invitation to the Ethiopian parliamentary leadership to participate in the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference, scheduled to be held in November this year.
Gilani noted that as founding Chairman of the ISC, he looked forward to welcoming Ethiopia’s participation in addressing shared challenges and building collective strategies.
The Chairman Senate was accompanied by Senators Sherry Rehman, Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui, Syed Ali Zafar, and Adviser to the Chairman Senate, Misbah Khar.
Ambassador Dr. Jamal Beker Abdulla endorsed the views of the Chairman Senate and lauded his efforts to promote Pakistan’s relations at the international level. He assured Ethiopia’s continued cooperation and stressed that the two countries share commonalities that can further strengthen their friendly ties.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
