The Pakistan-France Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) convened at Parliament House in Islamabad today to explore ways to bolster collaboration between the two nations. Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, led the session, focusing on key areas like digital innovation, trade, climate change, tourism, education, cultural exchange, and parliamentary interaction.

Members of the National Assembly, including Mr. Anwar-ul-Haque Chaudhary, Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Mr. Khurram Shahzad Virk, Syed Raza Ali Gillani (virtually), and Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, were present. Officials from the Ministries of Commerce and Foreign Affairs briefed attendees on the current relationship between Pakistan and France, highlighting its positive development.

The assembly revisited discussions between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Emmanuel Macron at the UN General Assembly in September 2022 and the One Water Summit in Riyadh in December 2024, both of which invigorated the countries’ partnership.

Ms. Qamar stressed the significance of parliamentary dialogues in furthering mutual endeavors and suggested targeted joint efforts in sectors like trade, investment, climate action, green technology, information technology, tourism, education, and culture. She also advocated for promoting investment prospects through business community involvement and closer ties with French organizations in Pakistan, such as Campus France and Alliance Française, to enhance cultural and educational connections.

PFG members reiterated the group”s crucial role as a link between the two countries and emphasized the need for a strategic, unified plan to achieve its goals. To this end, Ms. Qamar announced the creation of specialized working groups and an executive committee for the PFG to maintain ongoing parliamentary communication and address sector-specific priorities systematically.