ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has praised the growing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Australia, saying Pakistan highly valued its ties with Australia and both countries enjoy an exemplary partnership in multiple sectors including trade, education, agriculture, sports and people-to-people exchanges.
He expressed these views while addressing the Australia Day in Spring 2026 reception hosted by the Australian High Commission as the chief guest.
The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians, business leaders, media representatives, alumni and friends of Australia to celebrate Australia’s national day and the enduring partnership between the two countries.
Chairman Senate Gilani said Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding friendship with Australia and appreciated Australia’s continued cooperation in diverse fields including climate resilience, water management, food security, defence cooperation and higher education.
He noted that parliamentary exchanges and growing commercial engagement were further strengthening the relationship between the two friendly countries. He also appreciated the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Australia in enhancing bilateral understanding and cultural connectivity.
Earlier, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the historical and people-centric nature of relations between the two countries.
“From the cameleers from present-day Pakistan who helped open Australia’s outback, to the more than 145,000 Australians of Pakistani heritage and the 21,000 Pakistani students currently studying in Australia, ours is a relationship with deep human roots,” he said.
Mr Kane said Australia and Pakistan, as two middle powers in the Indo-Pacific region, were working together to strengthen food security, improve water management, build climate resilience and expand educational opportunities.
He highlighted Australia’s more than four decades of agricultural collaboration with Pakistan, including joint research on water management, salinity, hybrid wheat, citrus and mango value chains, and climate-resilient farming practices.
The High Commissioner also noted that two-way trade between the two countries has crossed US$2.6 billion, including Australian exports supporting Pakistan’s food security and dairy sectors.
Education and sports diplomacy remained key themes of the evening, with special reference to the role of Australian alumni in Pakistan and the upcoming visit of the Australian men’s cricket team to Pakistan for One Day International matches.
A cake-cutting ceremony was also held during the event while the national anthems of Pakistan and Australia were played, adding colour to the celebrations.
