On 12 March 2026 at the National Assembly Secretariat in Islamabad, Dr Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, met with German Ambassador Ina Lepel and Violetta Anand Kuzmova, First Secretary for Human Rights and Migration, to discuss avenues for closer parliamentary cooperation between Pakistan and Germany.
Dr Shahida Rehmani outlined the Women Parliamentary Caucus as a cross-party platform that advances gender equality, strengthens women’s political participation and promotes legislation and policies to protect and empower women and girls across Pakistan. The delegation noted that focused parliamentary engagement can support stronger oversight, better lawmaking and more inclusive policymaking.
Ambassador Ina Lepel presented an overview of Germany’s ongoing initiatives in Pakistan, highlighting work on access to justice, skill development and climate change, and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting institutional capacity and inclusive growth. Both sides agreed that such development partnerships are most effective when complemented by sustained parliamentary dialogue.
Participants proposed organising learning exchanges between women parliamentarians of the National Assembly and members of the German Bundestag, through physical visits and virtual interactions, to share experiences, best practices and policy perspectives on women’s leadership and democratic governance. Emphasis was placed on advancing shared priorities including human rights, women’s empowerment and inclusive policymaking through ongoing collaboration.
The meeting included the Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights Dr Nikhat Shakeel, Treasurer of the WPC Ms Shahida Begum, Parliamentary Secretaries Ms Farah Naz Akbar and Ms Zeb Jaffar, MNAs Syeda Shehla Raza, Ms Rana Ansar, Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms Naeema Kishwer Khan and Ms Farakh Khan, and Senators Dr Zarqa Suharwardy and Ms Fawzia Arshad.
The Women Parliamentary Caucus expressed appreciation for Germany’s longstanding support to Pakistan’s development and reaffirmed its commitment to deepen parliamentary cooperation and sustained engagement on shared policy goals.
