The Pakistan-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), led by its Convener Ms Farah Naz Akbar, held a meeting with Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan H.E. Stéphane Rey to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary relations and identify practical avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Members of the National Assembly, including Rana Mubashar Iqbal, Federal Minister (Public Affairs Unit), Ahmad Raza Maneka, Mian Khan Bugti, Pullain Baloch, Kiran Haider, Neelam, Huma Akhtar Chughtai and Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi.
Welcoming the Swiss ambassador, Ms Farah Naz Akbar emphasised the need to make the Parliamentary Friendship Group a substantive and outcome-oriented platform for engagement. She underlined the importance of sustained contacts between parliamentarians, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on shared challenges.
She also proposed the formation of a counterpart Friendship Group in the Swiss Parliament, followed by virtual meetings, reciprocal visits and thematic discussions. She said such initiatives could provide opportunities for members to exchange experiences and learn from each other’s legislative and oversight roles.
Ambassador Stéphane Rey appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality and underscored the potential to deepen bilateral engagement. He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in climate change, tourism, science, cultural heritage and vocational training.
Referring to challenges faced by mountain communities, the ambassador discussed the effects of climate change on villages and tourism. He stressed the value of sharing knowledge, research and best practices. He also noted the importance of strengthening Pakistan’s visibility in Switzerland and building better understanding between the two countries.
Members of the PFG discussed vocational education and skills development as areas for practical collaboration, including exchanges between training institutions and learning from Switzerland’s vocational training system.
The members also discussed economic cooperation, the role of Swiss companies operating in Pakistan, agricultural livelihoods, climate resilience, infrastructure and disaster risk reduction. The potential for stronger cooperation between relevant institutions, including in the context of disaster preparedness, was also raised.
The meeting explored opportunities to promote Pakistan’s cultural heritage in Switzerland, including the possibility of a Gandhara-focused exhibition, while recognising the logistical requirements involved in organising such initiatives.
The discussion also covered scholarships, student exchanges and opportunities to improve access to educational and professional exchanges. Members highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts, expanding trade and investment links, and creating further opportunities for Pakistani students, professionals and women to develop their skills and participate in economic activity.
The meeting concluded with a shared emphasis on maintaining regular engagement between the two Parliamentary Friendship Groups and identifying specific themes for future interaction.
Both sides recognised the importance of translating parliamentary dialogue into practical initiatives in trade, education, vocational training, cultural exchange, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, with a view to strengthening the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Switzerland.
