Gilani seeks stronger Pakistan-Tanzania ties
Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. PHOTO: INP
Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday proposed measures to strengthen Pakistan-Tanzania relations, with a focus on diplomatic presence, trade, technology and parliamentary cooperation.
He made the recommendation during his meeting with Mussa Azzan Zungu, Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, on the sidelines of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Arusha.
The Senate chairman called for the establishment of a resident Tanzanian diplomatic mission in Islamabad, noting that a permanent diplomatic presence would strengthen bilateral engagement while facilitating visas, business travel, tourism and greater people-to-people interaction.
He also stressed the need to substantially enhance bilateral trade and investment, including stronger linkages between the ports, business communities and chambers of commerce of the two countries.
He highlighted the potential for cooperation in information technology, digital innovation, agriculture, education and skills development, and encouraged greater private-sector engagement to translate the goodwill between Pakistan and Tanzania into tangible economic cooperation.
As another step, Gilani called for the activation and strengthening of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both countries, with regular parliamentary exchanges and closer institutional cooperation between the Senate of Pakistan and the National Assembly of Tanzania.