Pakistan–Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group Convener Farah Naz Akbar meets Swiss Ambassador Stéphane Rey alongside members of the National Assembly to discuss bilateral relations.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan–Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by Convener Farah Naz Akbar, met Swiss Ambassador Stéphane Rey to discuss strengthening parliamentary ties and expanding bilateral cooperation in climate change, tourism, science, cultural heritage and vocational training. The meeting was attended by Honourable Members of the National Assembly, including Rana Mubashar Iqbal, Federal Minister (Public Affairs Unit), Mr. Ahmad Raza Maneka, Mr. Mian Khan Bugti, Mr. Pullain Baloch, Ms. Kiran Haider, Ms. Neelam, Ms. Huma Akhtar Chughtai and Ms. Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi. The discussion focused on strengthening parliamentary relations and identifying practical avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The Honorable. Convener welcomed the H.E. Mr. Stephane Rey Ambassador of Swiss in Pakistan and emphasised the importance of making the Parliamentary Friendship Group a substantive, outcome-oriented platform for engagement. She highlighted the value of sustained contact between parliamentarians, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on shared challenges. She also proposed the formation of the counterpart Friendship Group in the Swiss Parliament, followed by virtual meetings, reciprocal visits and thematic discussions, with opportunities for members to exchange experiences and learn from each other’s legislative and oversight roles.
Honorable. Ambassador, Mr. 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 the challenges facing mountain communities, he discussed the effects of climate change on villages and tourism and emphasised the value of sharing knowledge, research and best practices. He also noted the importance of strengthening Pakistan’s visibility in Switzerland and building a better understanding between the two countries.
The Honorable. 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. Members further 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 Honorable. member 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 contact, 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, thereby strengthening the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Switzerland.
