Phnom Penh, February 5, 2026: Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Senator Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, met with Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, reaffirming the strong and friendly relations between Pakistan and Cambodia.
During the meeting, the Chairman Senate conveyed warm greetings on behalf of the Senate of Pakistan and expressed deep respect for the Cambodian National Assembly. He congratulated Her Excellency on her historic election as the first woman President of Cambodia’s National Assembly, terming it a significant milestone that reflects Cambodia’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive leadership.
Senator Gilani also congratulated the leadership and people of Cambodia on their sustained socio-economic progress and political stability. He highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and close cooperation at multilateral forums. He appreciated Cambodia’s active role in regional cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy, and thanked Phnom Penh for its valued support for Pakistan’s membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025–26 term.
Emphasizing the importance of parliamentary cooperation, the Chairman Senate reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral engagement through Parliamentary Friendship Groups, institutional dialogue, and inter-parliamentary platforms, including the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
Recalling his personal engagements with Cambodia, Senator Gilani referred to his participation in the Asia Pacific Cambodia Conference in 2019, meetings with former Prime Minister Hun Sen, his visit to Cambodia in July 2023 as an international election observer, and recent interactions with senior Cambodian leadership on the sidelines of international forums. He noted that these engagements reflect Pakistan’s strategic outreach to Southeast Asia.
The Chairman Senate highlighted the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) in Islamabad in November 2025, describing it as a landmark initiative in parliamentary diplomacy. He appreciated Cambodia’s participation in the conference and welcomed its expression of interest in hosting a future ISC session.
Both sides underscored the need to expand cooperation in areas including trade, investment, climate resilience, defense dialogue, people-to-people contacts, and cultural diplomacy. They also highlighted shared civilizational linkages, particularly the Buddhist heritage associated with Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties, the Chairman Senate welcomed continued high-level parliamentary engagement with Cambodia to promote peace, connectivity, and inclusive development.
The Chairman Senate was accompanied by Senators Dr. Zarqa Suharwady Taimoor, Abid Sher Ali, and Zameer Hussain Ghumro, along with Advisor to the Chairman Senate and Ambassador for ISC, Misbah Khar.
