ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Nepal have agreed to explore new avenues for strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on parliamentary exchanges, trade, tourism, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.The understanding was reached during a meeting of the Pakistan–Nepal+Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) of the National Assembly of Pakistan with Nepal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Rita Dhital, at Parliament House, Islamabad.
The PFG was led by its Convener, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA.Welcoming the Nepali envoy, Dr. Malani underscored the longstanding cultural, historical and civilizational links between Pakistan and Nepal. He said regular interaction between the two parliaments could play an important role in bringing the peoples of both countries closer and opening new avenues of cooperation.
The Pakistani side identified trade and investment, education, tourism, culture, youth exchanges, IT and digital services as key areas with significant potential for deeper Nepal-Pakistan cooperation.Ambassador Rita Dhital appreciated the warm welcome and reaffirmed Nepal’s friendly relations with Pakistan. She highlighted existing cooperation in education, climate change, tourism, trade and cultural exchanges, while stressing the importance of improving connectivity and strengthening business-to-business links.A major focus of the discussion was the expansion of parliamentary diplomacy between Nepal and Pakistan.
Both sides emphasized the importance of more frequent exchanges through Parliamentary Friendship Groups, reciprocal parliamentary visits and virtual interactions.The two sides also discussed opportunities to boost bilateral trade and business ties. Restoring direct air connectivity between Nepal and Pakistan emerged as a key priority, with participants noting that direct flights could significantly facilitate tourism, commerce and people-to-people contacts.The participants particularly highlighted the potential for cooperation in religious and adventure tourism, drawing on Nepal’s Himalayan and mountaineering heritage and the rich Buddhist heritage of both countries.
The shared interest in mountaineering and the religious significance of Buddhist sites in Nepal and Pakistan were viewed as promising areas for closer collaboration.Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, including MNAs Shahzada Muhammad Gushtasap Khan, Farah Naz Akbar, Shaista Khan, Isphanyar M. Bhandara, Danyal Chaudhary and Dr. Darshan, participated in the meeting.Dr. Malani thanked Ambassador Dhital for the constructive exchange and expressed hope that enhanced parliamentary engagement would help further deepen the longstanding and cordial Nepal-Pakistan relationship.
