ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has underscored the critical role of parliaments in fostering people-centric and mutually beneficial relations between Pakistan and Hungary.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Speaker of Hungarian National Assembly László Kövér in Budapest, says a press release issued by the NA Secretariat here on Thursday.

Upon his arrival at the Hungarian Parliament, Mr Sadiq received a warm welcome from his Hungarian counterpart, alongside Bela Fazekas, co-chairman of the Hungary-Pakistan Friendship Group, and other senior officials.

Speaker László Kövér termed the visit a historic occasion, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Hungary.

During formal discussions, Mr Sadiq briefed his Hungarian counterpart on key challenges faced by Pakistan, including its contributions to the global fight against terrorism, the economic impact of climate change, and the influx of 4.6 million Afghan refugees.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s parliamentary initiatives addressing the rights and welfare of women, children, and marginalized communities.

Emphasizing the responsibility of the global parliamentary community, Mr Sadiq stated that lawmakers must not remain passive observers while their people endure the consequences of global recession, escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Gaza, as well as emerging threats such as fake news and the unchecked spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He identified AI as a new global challenge, warning that its misuse could fuel discord, misinformation, and social unrest. He urged parliamentarians to address this challenge by ensuring the responsible and ethical use of technology for public welfare.

He also commended Hungary for maintaining a neutral stance on the Ukraine war.

Mr Sadiq handed over a letter from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressed to Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, inviting him to visit Pakistan.

Stressing the importance of relations based on mutual benefit and shared interests, he reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Pakistan, citing Hungarian investments in Pakistan’s energy sector through MOL as a key example.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing educational and cultural ties between Pakistan and Hungary. Hungary currently offers 500 fully funded scholarships annually to Pakistani students, with 1,500 students having benefited from the programme in recent years. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for expanding the scholarship programme further and proposed that Pakistani students be provided internship opportunities in Hungarian institutions.

He hoped that this programme would allow them to return to Pakistan as skilled professionals and goodwill ambassadors.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025