ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan–Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG) held its first briefing session at Parliament House in Islamabad on March 6, with lawmakers and government officials discussing ways to expand parliamentary engagement and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting, convened by MNA Shamaila Rana, brought together members of the group along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce. Pakistan’s ambassador to Cambodia also joined the session virtually.

In her opening remarks, Rana said parliamentary friendship groups play an important role in strengthening dialogue between legislatures and promoting closer relations between countries. She expressed hope that the Pakistan–Cambodia Parliamentary Friendship Group would help expand parliamentary interaction and explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Members attending the meeting included Daniyal Ahmed, Ahmad Atteeq Anwer, Samar Haroon Bilour, Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi, Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, Shazia Farid, Natasha Daultana, Neelam Kumari and Saeeda Jamshid.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed participants on the current state of bilateral relations. They noted that although high-level visits between Pakistan and Cambodia have been limited, Cambodia has shown increasing interest in strengthening cooperation with Pakistan.

The officials said Pakistan had offered to facilitate the opening of a Cambodian diplomatic mission in the country, adding that a stronger institutional presence could help deepen engagement between the two sides.

The briefing also recalled that Pakistan was among the early countries to recognize Cambodia and has maintained friendly relations with the Southeast Asian nation.

Officials said bilateral engagement has gradually expanded in recent years, particularly in trade, economic cooperation and parliamentary exchanges. Mechanisms such as trade discussions and the Second Joint Trade Commission meeting have helped identify new areas of collaboration.

Participants were also informed about potential cooperation in sectors including textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather products and travel-related goods.

During the discussion, lawmakers emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and called for greater people-to-people contact between Pakistan and Cambodia. Members highlighted opportunities to strengthen collaboration in trade, tourism, education, information technology and cultural exchange.