ISLAMABAD – Chairman Senate and head of Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation to the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, held a luncheon meeting with IPU President Dr Tulia Ackson on the sidelines of the assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. During the meeting, Gilani warmly congratulated Dr Ackson on the successful completion of her historic tenure as IPU president from 2023 to 2026. He lauded her dynamic leadership, vision and tireless efforts to make the IPU more inclusive, representative and effective as the global organisation of parliaments. “Under your able and inspiring leadership, the IPU has become a stronger platform for peace, dialogue and parliamentary diplomacy. As the first African woman president of the IPU, you are an inspiration for women parliamentarians around the world, particularly in the Global South,” Gilani said. He said he and Dr Ackson had worked closely together during her presidency and would continue to cooperate in the future to promote parliamentary cooperation and strengthen the role of the IPU. Gilani also thanked Dr Ackson, the Tanzanian government and its people for making excellent arrangements and extending warm hospitality to all delegates attending the assembly. On the occasion, he extended a cordial invitation to Dr Ackson to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time as a guest of the Senate of Pakistan. Dr Ackson graciously accepted the invitation and thanked the Senate chairman for the gesture. Gilani is leading a cross-party delegation comprising members of the Senate and National Assembly at the 153rd IPU Assembly being held from October 5 to 9 at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania. The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
