Pakistan-Canada Friendship Group met Canadian Parliamentarian at Senate

• Pakistan-Canada Friendship Group in the Senate met with Canadian House of Commons Member Sameer Zuberi at Parliament House on Thursday to explore new opportunities for expanding bilateral ties between Pakistan and Canada
• The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including Canada’s travel advice for Pakistan, Islamophobia, the high incidence of visa rejection for Pakistani students and traders, and other problems of mutual concern
• The group committed to expanding bilateral collaboration in various areas, including legislative cooperation, increased commerce, visa difficulties, and people-to-people relations

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ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan-Canada Friendship Group in the Senate met with Canadian House of Commons Member Sameer Zuberi at Parliament House on Thursday to explore new opportunities for expanding bilateral ties between Pakistan and Canada.

According to a press statement, the discussion covered a wide range of topics, including Canada’s travel advice for Pakistan, Islamophobia, the high incidence of visa rejection for Pakistani students and traders, and other problems of mutual concern.

The meeting was presided over by Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi. Senators Eng Rukhsana Zuberi, Danesh Kumar, Azam Khan Swati, Rubina Khalid, and the Canadian Parliamentary delegation led by Canadian MP and member of the Canadian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Sameer Zuberi, attended the meeting.

The Pakistani Panel updated the Friendship Group on the country’s improved security situation as well as the new government’s priority areas for implementing structural reforms in critical sectors and institution-building. 

Deputy Senate Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi stated, “while Canada seeks to diversify its alliances, Pakistan is one of the developing nations in Asia that offers significant prospects. Pakistan wishes to re-establish full-fledged relations with Canada in the orbs of politics, commerce, investment, and development.”

Sameer Zuberi, a Canadian MP, informed the senators of their efforts to foster camaraderie between the two nations’ lawmakers, noting that Canada acknowledges Pakistan’s economic importance. The group also reviewed the plan for bringing the people of the two countries closer together.

Senator Eng Rukhsana Zuberi emphasized the need of increasing bilateral commerce between Pakistan and Canada, as well as encouraged the business sector to participate in the effort.

Afridi emphasized that while both nations have exceptional relations, bilateral trade must be enhanced, which requires linkages, information, the interchange of trade delegations, and the organizing of exhibits. He also invited the Canadian Parliamentary delegation to visit Pakistan and urged the Canadian business community to establish contacts with Pakistan’s chambers.

Senator Azam Swati praised Canada’s leadership for preserving and setting human rights norms. He also encouraged Sameer Zuberi to portray Pakistan in a favorable light in Canada. He stated that Islam is about nurturing love and peace and called for an end to anti-Islam propaganda.

Senator Danesh Kumar emphasized the need of promoting interfaith peace. He also noted and commended the Canadian mining corporation Barrick Gold for investing in Reko Dik, Chaghi area. He invited the Canadian MP, along with other MPs to visit Balochistan.

Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized the value of learning from one another’s legislative procedures. She praised the Prime Minister of Canada’s attempts to promote interfaith peace and combat the menace of Islamophobia. She advocated for the avoidance of political polarisation and the promotion of inter-societal peace. She stressed the importance of following the practice of giving equal support personnel to MPs.

The visiting dignitary was briefed by the Deputy Chairman Senate on how the upper chamber of parliament works on human rights laws by FATF requirements. He also asked Canadian Members of Parliament to participate in the International Parliamentarians Congress, an initiative of H.E Senator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate.

Senator Swati also fetched the high incidence of visa denials for students and traders. Sameer informed her that he would relay her concerns about the visa refusal and endeavor to ensure its survival.

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The group committed to expanding bilateral collaboration in various areas, including legislative cooperation, increased commerce, visa difficulties, and people-to-people relations.