Islamabad, July 8, 2026: Ms. Zeb Jaffar, MNA and Convener of the Pakistan–Bulgaria Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), held a meeting today at Parliament House, Islamabad, with a delegation from the Republic of Bulgaria led by Mr. Petko Doykov, Director General for Bilateral Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. The delegation included H.E. Mrs. Irena Gancheva, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Pakistan, and senior officials from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to the meeting, Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Akil, Director General (Europe-I), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, briefed the Convener on the current status of Pakistan–Bulgaria relations and highlighted opportunities to enhance parliamentary engagement, trade and economic cooperation, educational exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.
Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Zeb Jaffar highlighted that Pakistan and Bulgaria have enjoyed over six decades of cordial and friendly relations founded on mutual respect and cooperation. She congratulated the Government and people of Bulgaria on the successful parliamentary elections and the formation of the new Parliament, expressing hope that the counterpart Bulgaria–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group would soon be constituted to further institutionalize parliamentary collaboration.
She emphasized the importance of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy through regular exchanges of parliamentarians, while promoting cooperation in education, climate change, agriculture, youth and student exchange programmes, and people-to-people contacts. Highlighting Bulgaria’s strategic position as a gateway to European markets, she also stressed the need to expand bilateral trade and investment, strengthen collaboration through the Pakistan–EU Business Forum, and encourage high-level exchanges between the leadership of both countries.
In his remarks, Mr. Petko Doykov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding relationship with Pakistan. He underscored the importance of sustained political dialogue, parliamentary diplomacy, regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations, and closer people-to-people ties. He also highlighted significant opportunities for cooperation in trade, information technology, artificial intelligence, youth engagement, and connectivity, observing that geographical distance should not impede stronger economic relations. He expressed Bulgaria’s commitment to facilitating the early establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group and promoting parliamentary exchanges.
Ms. Zeb Jaffar also appreciated the valuable contributions of H.E. Mrs. Irena Gancheva in advancing Pakistan–Bulgaria relations during her tenure as Ambassador.
In her remarks, H.E. Mrs. Irena Gancheva expressed confidence that the establishment of the counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group in Bulgaria would further institutionalize parliamentary engagement and deepen bilateral cooperation. Reaffirming Bulgaria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan, she thanked the Convener and Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for their continued support and expressed optimism that the friendship between the two countries would continue to flourish.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, expand economic and trade cooperation, promote educational and cultural exchanges, and enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest for the mutual benefit of Pakistan and Bulgaria.
