ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said Nepal and Pakistan had great potential to enhance economic cooperation and raise bilateral trade volume.

He expressed these views in a meeting with the newly-appointed Nepali Ambassador to Pakistan Rita Dhital. He warmly congratulated the ambassador on her appointment and extended his best wishes for a successful diplomatic tenure in Pakistan.

Pakistan attaches great importance to its fraternal relations with Nepal, which are deeply rooted in shared history, cultural ties and mutual respect.

Mr Gilani acknowledged that the current volume of trade between Pakistan and Nepal did not reflect the true potential and goodwill that exists between the two nations. In the fiscal year 2024-25, bilateral trade amounted to only $6.47 million. He underlined the need for enhancing economic cooperation.

Reaffirming Pakistan`s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, the Senate chairman emphasised that high-level exchanges played a vital role in deepening cooperation between the two countries. He underscored the need to increase the frequency of such engagements.

Mr Gilani expressed satisfaction over the cooperation in the defence sector between the two countries, noting that Pakistan had offered 101 training slots free of cost to the Nepalese armed forces, 31 of which have already been utilised.

On the topic of educational cooperation, the Senate chairman highlighted that under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP), 25 scholarships are awarded annually to Nepali students. He affirmed that this initiative will continue in the future.

Emphasising the potential for religious tourism, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilaninoted the shared Buddhist heritage between Pakistan and Nepal. He called for trans-forming the historic links between Taxila and Lumbini into tangible tourism opportunities and extended an invitation to Nepali citizens to visit Pakistan for religious tourism.

He also expressed concern over the adverse impacts of climate change faced by both countries and stressed the importance of close cooperation at the bilateral, regional, and global levels.

The Senate chairman reiterated Pakistan`s desire to see Saarc revitalised as an effective platform for regional cooperation in South Asia. He appreciated Nepal`s role as the current chair and host of Saarc and expressed hope for the full resumption of its functions in the near future.

The ambassador thanked the chairman and agreed with his views.