Sanjrani urges parliaments to promote regional trade

Says collective approach needed to overcome people’s issues

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has said parliaments of Asian countries can play an active role in promoting regional cooperation through intra-regional trade and economic links.

While addressing the Mili Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan on the eve of its 100th anniversary, the Senate chairman said that Asia would become the epicentre of trade and economic activities, but “collective approach is needed to overcome the issues being faced by the people of the Asian region”.

Sanjrani was accompanied by senators Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Ayub Afridi and Nighat Mirza during the event.

According to a message received here on Saturday from Azerbaijan, he said, “It is the responsibility of the Asian leadership to work together for socioeconomic prosperity of the Asian region.”

The Senate chairman underscored the need for enhanced parliamentary cooperation through increased exchanges to provide opportunities to the lawmakers of both the countries to share experiences.

“Pakistan gives great importance to the bilateral relations with Azerbaijan and excellent cooperation has been witnessed between Pakistan and Azerbaijan at regional and internal forums,” he said. “Issues of Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir are of similar nature as innocent civilians are being subjected to brutalities and inhuman treatment,” he said, adding that Pakistan fully supported Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Referring to the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir, Sanjrani said, “The Indian forces have unleashed a reign of terror in IOK.”  He urged world leaders to take notice of the human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in the held region.

He said shared ideological and political stances on major issues of international concerns and coordination between parliaments of both the countries was very important.

The Senate chairman also underpinned the significance of liberal visa regime and connectivity for mutual benefit. He termed his visit highly important and hoped that it would contribute to adding further impetus to the already fraternal ties.

He congratulated his counterpart and members of the Majlis on the 100th anniversary of parliament. He also extended invitations to delegates from different countries for participation in Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) meeting to be held in Gwadar during the last week of October this year.

Sanjrani sought support from the participating countries for election of Pakistan's nominee to the position in IPU Standing Committee on United Nation Affairs from Asia Pacific Group. APP