ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured Russia of Pakistan’s strong support for its role in promoting regional stability and multipolar global governance.

According to a statement, Mr Gilani extended the assurance to a Russian parliamentary delegation led by Council of the Russian Federation Chairperson Valentina Matviyenka on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent.

“The Pakistani delegation headed by the Senate chairman held a comprehensive bilateral meeting with the Russian delegation.

The meeting reaffirmed the growing strategic importance of Pakistan-Russia relations and underscored the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation,“ it said.

Both sides emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts in forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the United Nations, particularly regarding climate action, food security and counter-narcotics efforts.

The Senate chairman reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, highlighting the need for inclusive political solutions and humanitarian support in Afghanistan. He acknowledged Russia’s role in promoting dialogue and stability in the region.

“Chairman Gilani highlighted the shared aspirations of both nations for peace, security and multipolarity in global affairs. He emphasised the evolving relationship between Pakistan and Russia, rooted in mutual respect and increasingly broad-based cooperation across defence, trade, energy and multilateral platforms such as the SCO,” the statement read.

They also discussed how to promote parliamentary engagement between the two countries.

Moreover, the two sides agreed to enhance institutional linkages between their respective parliaments, including exchange visits, the revival of Parliamentary Friendship Groups and consistent dialogue to address shared challenges.

Strategic and defence cooperation also came under discussion during the meeting.

Mr Gilani acknowledged the significance of ongoing defence collaboration and suggested a greater focus on security dialogue, military training exchanges and counter-terrorism coordination.

The Senate chairman concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s readiness to work with Russia toward a comprehensive, forward-looking partnership and extended an invitation for future parliamentary exchanges in Islamabad, the communique stated.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2025