https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, Dec 01 (Alliance News): The High Commissioner of Australia to Pakistan, H.E. Timothy Kane, called on Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Parliament House on Monday.
Gilani said Australia enjoyed tremendous goodwill in Pakistan and noted that the vibrant Pakistani diaspora served as a strong bridge between the two countries, according to a press release.
He appreciated Australia’s longstanding support in the education sector, where nearly 20,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in Australian universities.
He said these students would play a significant role in Pakistan’s development upon their return.
Highlighting shared interests, he said Pakistan and Australia were connected through various bonds, including a mutual passion for cricket, and expressed confidence that the envoy’s tenure would further expand cooperation in areas such as trade and investment.
Chairman Senate said the current bilateral trade levels did not reflect the true potential of the relationship and called for enhanced economic engagement.
He appreciated Australia’s support for Pakistan’s agriculture sector, including 13 ongoing projects and research partnerships, expressing hope that these efforts would lead to technology transfer, improved market access, and concrete benefits for farmers.
He also acknowledged the productive visit of Pakistan’s agro-trade delegation to Australia in June 2025 and welcomed Australia’s support for a proposed biosecurity and capacity-building visit scheduled for early 2026.
Emphasising parliamentary diplomacy, Gilani called for stronger inter-parliamentary linkages, including frequent exchanges and deeper engagement between Parliamentary Friendship Groups.
He said high-level contacts were vital for advancing ties, referring to the recent meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in July 2025.
He also expressed interest in collaborating on best practices in agriculture and informed the envoy about the recent International Seminar on Climate (ISC) held in Islamabad.
Gilani recalled his previous visits to Australia as Speaker of the National Assembly and as Prime Minister, describing them as both important and productive.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Australia and conveyed his best wishes to High Commissioner Kane for a successful tenure.
He also extended congratulations and best wishes to the Prime Minister of Australia on his wedding.
The Australian High Commissioner thanked the Chairman Senate for his candid views on bilateral ties and said Pakistan and Australia enjoyed a strong and longstanding relationship.
He expressed condolences on the recent flood-related losses in South Punjab and noted that climate change continued to have severe impacts on Pakistan.
Advisor to Chairman Senate and Ambassador to the Inter-Parliamentary Speaker Conference Misbah Khar and Senior Director General Protocol Tariq Bin Waheed also attended the meeting.
