Phnom Penh (TDI): Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Cambodia through enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, political engagement, and people-to-people cooperation during his official visit to Phnom Penh.
He met Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and conveyed warm greetings and respect on behalf of the Senate of Pakistan. The Chairman praised the King’s leadership, moral authority, and dedication to national unity, cultural heritage, and the welfare of the Cambodian people.
He was accompanied by Senators Dr Zarqa Suharwady Taimoor, Abid Sher Ali, Zameer Hussain Ghumro, and Adviser to the Chairman Senate and Ambassador for the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), Misbah Khar.
During the meeting, Chairman Gilani highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between Pakistan and Cambodia, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. He also commended Cambodia’s constructive role in promoting regional cooperation and inter-parliamentary dialogue.
Recalling his personal engagement with Cambodia, the Chairman referred to his participation in the Asia-Pacific Cambodia Conference in 2019 as former prime minister, his meeting with then-Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and his visit to Cambodia in July 2023 to attend the International Leadership Conference and observe the general elections as an international observer. He said these engagements reflected Pakistan’s consistent support for democratic values and international parliamentary cooperation.
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He also noted recent high-level interactions between the two countries and growing diplomatic engagement since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952.
Emphasizing the role of parliamentary diplomacy, Gilani said parliamentary engagement could act as a catalyst for trade facilitation, investment promotion, and regional connectivity. He highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in parliamentary diplomacy through the launch of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in 2025 and appreciated Cambodia’s active participation in its inaugural conference held in Islamabad in November 2025.
The Chairman welcomed Cambodia’s interest in further engagement under the ISC framework and pointed to opportunities for expanding cooperation in trade, defence and security, climate change, sustainable development, and cultural exchanges, including shared Buddhist heritage linked to Pakistan’s Gandhara civilisation.
Later, Gilani met Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral ties through political dialogue, parliamentary cooperation, and people-to-people contacts. He thanked the Cambodian leadership for the warm hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation.
During the meeting, he expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s support for Pakistan’s election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term and acknowledged Cambodia’s role in supporting Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN, including its Sectoral Dialogue Partner status and membership of the ASEAN Regional Forum.
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Gilani recalled the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Senates of Pakistan and Cambodia and stressed the importance of parliamentary friendship groups, committee-level exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives to further institutional cooperation.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Cambodia, he said stronger bilateral ties would contribute to peace, regional stability, and inclusive development, while strengthening cooperation across political, economic, and cultural domains.
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.
