Islamabad, 25 February 2026 – Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, reaffirmed the strong strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkmenistan during a meeting with Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, at Parliament House.
Gilani welcomed the ambassador and emphasized the deep-rooted cordial and brotherly ties between the two nations, grounded in mutual respect, shared values, common history, culture, and long-standing cooperation. He recalled his official visit to Turkmenistan in May last year, during which he held productive meetings with the leadership of Turkmenistan, including President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He noted that these engagements further strengthened mutual understanding and opened new avenues for bilateral collaboration.
The chairman highlighted Pakistan’s early recognition of Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991 and the establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1992. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality, noting its role as a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution recognizing that status.
Gilani pointed to recent high-level exchanges, including visits by Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister to Turkmenistan. He specifically referenced the Prime Minister’s participation in the UN International Forum of Peace and Trust in December 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, and a bilateral meeting with President Berdimuhamedov focused on boosting economic ties.
An invitation was extended for President Berdimuhamedov to make an official visit to Pakistan in 2026, which Gilani said would further would further strengthen bilateral ties and deepen people-to-people contacts.
On the economic front, the chairman underscored Turkmenistan’s strategic importance to Pakistan and the significant potential in energy, including LPG, trade, and investment. He stressed the need to advance regional connectivity through railway links and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
Gilani also promoted Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a one-window platform for foreign investors and invited Turkmen businesses to explore opportunities in IT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and other priority sectors.
Gilani highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy, referencing the successful first Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) held in Islamabad on the theme “Peace, Security and Development.”
He recalled his visit to Turkmenistan at the invitation of the Speaker of the Milli Majlis and extended invitations to both the President of Turkmenistan and the Speaker to visit Pakistan, as well as to participate in the upcoming ISC in Cambodia.
He noted that Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both countries, reconstituted after Pakistan’s 2024 general elections, serve as key platforms for dialogue, with regular delegation exchanges, joint meetings, and seminars essential for building trust and addressing regional and global issues.
Ambassador Movlamov expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s consistent support and reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and parliamentary spheres. He voiced optimism about enhanced collaboration in energy, railway connectivity, transit trade, and regional links, including via Gwadar Port.
Concluding the meeting, Gilani stressed that Pakistan places high priority on its friendship with Turkmenistan and is dedicated to converting goodwill and institutional ties into concrete, mutually beneficial results for both peoples. He conveyed best wishes to President Berdimuhamedov and the Speaker of the Milli Majlis, expressing anticipation for their visits. ///nCa, 25 February 2026