Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan’s Senator Sarmad Ali, who is also Chairman of the Pakistan–Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group, hosted a luncheon in honor of the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin.
The luncheon was attended by a number of prominent political figures, including Chairman Senate, Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarrar, Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Shahadat Awan, and Misbah Khar, Advisor to Chairman Senate and Ambassador to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Senator Sarmad Ali thanked the Italian Ambassador for her support and reiterated the importance of consistent parliamentary exchanges.
“Parliamentary diplomacy is playing a key role in cementing Pakistan–Italy relations. The continued engagement of both Friendship Groups will ensure that this relationship grows stronger,” he remarked.
Italian Ambassador Marilina Armellin echoed these sentiments, commending the efforts of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups in fostering dialogue and mutual understanding.
She conveyed the greetings of Sara Ferrari, Chairperson of the Italy–Pakistan Friendship Group in the Italian Parliament, and shared hopes of her visit to Pakistan in the near future.
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Ambassador Armellin also acknowledged the two recent visits by Pakistani Senate delegations to Italy and expressed confidence that similar visits by members of the Italian Parliament and Senate would help deepen bilateral ties.
Chairman Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, speaking during the event, reaffirmed the enduring and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and Italy, highlighting the European nation’s prominent role as one of Pakistan’s leading trading partners within the European Union.
Gilani emphasized that the Pakistan-Italy partnership is built on mutual respect, shared values, and expanding cooperation across political, economic, and social domains.
He noted that trade and investment remain crucial pillars of this relationship, further strengthened by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Italy, which continues to act as a vital bridge between the two countries.
“Italy remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the EU,” Gilani said, adding that there is significant potential to expand this relationship further, particularly through robust parliamentary and people-to-people engagement.
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.
