Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani met Inter-Parliamentary Union President Dr. Tulia Ackson during the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania, discussing parliamentary cooperation, regional diplomacy, and extending an official invitation to visit Pakistan.
ARUSHA, Tanzania — Senate Chairman of Pakistan and head of the Pakistani parliamentary delegation, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, held a high-level one-on-one luncheon meeting with Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President Dr. Tulia Ackson on the sidelines of the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania.
According to the Senate Secretariat Media Directorate, the meeting took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere as leaders from global parliamentary bodies gathered for the international assembly. Chairman Gilani used the occasion to formally congratulate Dr. Tulia Ackson on completing her tenure as the president of the global organization of parliaments covering the period from 2023 to 2026. The Senate Secretariat stated that the Pakistani delegation leader praised Dr. Ackson for her dynamic leadership, vision, and tireless efforts aimed at making the IPU more inclusive, representative, and effective on the international stage.
During the discussion, Chairman Gilani underscored the vital impact of Dr. Ackson’s tenure on global parliamentary diplomacy. According to the official press release, the Senate Chairman highlighted that under her leadership, the organization evolved into a much stronger platform dedicated to peace, dialogue, and cooperation. He further emphasized her pioneering role as the first African woman to head the IPU, noting that her leadership serves as a profound source of inspiration for women parliamentarians across the world, particularly within the Global South.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Chairman Gilani stated that he and Dr. Ackson had collaborated closely throughout her presidency. He expressed confidence that both parliamentary leaders will continue to work together jointly in the future to promote global parliamentary cooperation and reinforce the institutional role of the IPU. In response to the warm sentiments, the Senate Chairman expressed gratitude to President Ackson, alongside the government and the people of Tanzania, for providing exceptional arrangements and extending warm hospitality to all participating delegates arriving in Arusha for the summit.
Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Extends Official Invitation to Pakistan
As the bilateral discussions progressed, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani formally extended a cordial invitation to Dr. Tulia Ackson to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time as an official guest of the Senate of Pakistan. According to the Senate Secretariat, Dr. Ackson graciously accepted the invitation and thanked the Chairman for his kind diplomatic gesture.
The high-level interaction occurred while Chairman Gilani leads a cross-party delegation comprising members of both the Senate and the National Assembly of Pakistan. The delegation is actively participating in the 153rd IPU Assembly, which is being held from October 5 to October 9, 2026, at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) in Tanzania.
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The assembly brings together international parliamentary figures, delegates, and diplomatic representatives from around the world to deliberate on pressing global legislative matters, reinforce multilateral ties, and address shared transnational challenges. Parliamentary diplomacy remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s broader international engagement strategy, enabling lawmakers to build robust institutional networks with counterparts worldwide. Through continued active participation in global forums like the IPU, Pakistani legislative representatives aim to foster closer legislative alignment, share best practices in governance, and highlight regional perspectives on sustainable development, peace, and security. The ongoing meetings in Arusha underline Islamabad’s commitment to maintaining active engagement with multilateral institutions and supporting inclusive leadership within global governance structures. Further updates regarding the delegation’s engagements and concluding sessions of the 153rd IPU Assembly are expected as the conference concludes its proceedings in Tanzania.
The Diplomatic Wire Desk is the institutional news and analysis body of Diplomatic Wire, overseen by Founder and Editor Khalid Minhas. The Desk covers international relations, foreign policy, and critical diplomatic initiatives with objective, timely reporting for a professional readership.
