Ayaz Sadiq Seeks Stronger Parliamentary Ties With Uganda Bangladesh

CAPE TOWN: (News Desk) – National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for stronger parliamentary ties with Uganda and Bangladesh, stressing the need to expand cooperation and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and the two countries.

The speaker held separate meetings with Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Jacob Marksons Oboth and Deputy Speaker of the House of the Nation of Bangladesh Barrister Kayser Kamal on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

During his meeting with the Ugandan speaker, Ayaz Sadiq welcomed Jacob Marksons Oboth and recalled Pakistan’s longstanding friendship with Uganda. He also acknowledged the contribution of former Ugandan Speaker Rebecca Kadaga in supporting Pakistan’s successful bid for the presidency of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 2015.

Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan was committed to renewing and strengthening its relations with African countries, describing Uganda as an important partner on the continent. He invited the Ugandan speaker to lead a parliamentary delegation to Pakistan.

The National Assembly speaker said an 18-member Pakistan-Uganda Parliamentary Friendship Group was already functioning in Pakistan’s parliament and expressed hope that a similar group would continue to facilitate engagement in Uganda’s parliament. The Ugandan speaker informed him that a friendship group had already been formed there and shared a letter dated September 9, 2026.

The two sides discussed potential cooperation in higher education, agriculture, food security, defence, climate change and parliamentary innovation. Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the challenges posed by climate change and said issues of mutual interest could be included in a future cooperation agenda.

The speaker also briefed his Ugandan counterpart on Pakistan’s position regarding regional security and tensions with India. He reiterated that Pakistan supported the peaceful resolution of disputes and believed that war was not a solution. He also highlighted Pakistan’s experience in combating terrorism and the security challenges arising from instability in the region.

Ayaz Sadiq invited Uganda to participate in the forthcoming CPA Women Parliamentarians Conference, scheduled to be hosted by the KP Assembly Branch of the CPA in March next year.

Later, the National Assembly speaker met Bangladesh’s Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal. Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the Bangladeshi delegation and offered Fateha for the departed spouse of the Speaker of Bangladesh. He recalled his visit to Dhaka to attend the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia and also referred to his meeting with the Bangladeshi prime minister.

Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan had always sought strong and cordial relations with Bangladesh. Recalling Pakistan’s support for Dr Sharmeen Chaudhury for the chairpersonship of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, he said there was significant potential for mutual learning and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

The speaker again explained Pakistan’s position on its disputes with India, stressing that disputes should be resolved peacefully and that war could not provide a lasting solution.

Ayaz Sadiq also appreciated the Makkah Accord and said the international community was recognising Pakistan’s role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States. He said Pakistan remained vigilant against efforts that could undermine the peace process.

Bangladesh Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal introduced Member of Parliament Humam Quader Chawdhary, grandson of former Speaker of United Pakistan Ch. A.K.M. Fazlul Quader. Chawdhary called for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and expressed hope that bilateral ties would improve further.

Barrister Mehbubul Alam Salehi, a member of parliament from Jamaat-e-Islami, also stressed the importance of closer relations between the two countries.

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal emphasised the importance of working together “shoulder to shoulder as brothers” and welcomed the resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Lahore.

Ayaz Sadiq invited the Bangladeshi deputy speaker to visit Pakistan. The meetings concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary engagement, people-to-people contacts and mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and Uganda and Pakistan and Bangladesh.