Islamabad, August 4, 2026: Federal Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, who is currently on an official visit to France, visited the French National Assembly today at the invitation of Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo, Member of the French National Assembly.

 

During the meeting, the two leaders held comprehensive discussions on matters of mutual interest, including Pakistan-France bilateral relations, the enhancement of parliamentary cooperation, opportunities for trade and investment, and the expansion of collaboration across various sectors. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, with particular focus on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

 

Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo expressed support for Pakistan's principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, stating that the issue should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law and the aspirations of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). 

 

Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo also conveyed his keen desire to visit Pakistan in the near future, accompanied by his parliamentary delegation, to further strengthen parliamentary engagement and explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation. He further expressed keen interest in Pakistan's information technology and telecommunications sectors and assured that he would play his role in promoting cooperation, investment, and partnerships in these fields.

 

Federal Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, welcomed the positive sentiments expressed by Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo and thanked him for his support for Pakistan's position on IIOJK issue. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening parliamentary relations, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and France. He also extended an invitation to Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo and his parliamentary delegation to visit Pakistan.

 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Federal Minister/ Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon presented Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo with a commemorative shield and a traditional Kashmiri muffler (scarf) as a gesture of friendship and goodwill, symbolizing Pakistan's solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Mr. Carlos Martens Bilongo graciously accepted the gifts, appreciated their symbolic significance, and thanked the Federal Minister.

 

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both leaders expressing confidence that sustained parliamentary engagement and enhanced bilateral cooperation would further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and France and contribute to expanded cooperation across diverse sectors.