ISLAMABAD, MAR 13, (DNA) -Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan has emerged as linchpin in facilitating connectivity between South, Central and West Asian regions respectively.

He outlined that Pak-Kyrgyz deeper connectivity will open a new era of unhindered flow of trade between Central Asia and Middle East through a secure and cheaper trade route via Pakistan.

He was talking to the parliamentary delegation of Kyrgyz Republic led by his counterpart of the JogorkuKenesh (Parliament) Mr. Chynybai A. Tursunbekov, who called on the Speaker in Parliament House on Monday. Convener of Pak-Kyrgyz Friendship Group Mr. Abdul Majeed Khan and Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic in Pakistan Mr. BEISHEMBIEVErik Aidarkanovichwere also present on the occasion.

Both the Speakers discussed matters pertaining to the bilateral relations with emphasis on enhancing cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. They also shared interests in a broad range of issues like peace and stability, trade and economic cooperation and regional integration.

Sardar  Ayaz  Sadiq underlined the need for pro-active parliamentary diplomacy to supplement government-to-government interaction. Referring to the role of Parliamentary Friendship Groups, he added that consistent Parliamentary engagements are highly imperative for facilitating diversification of trade and economic relations.

He reiterated the need to exploit the economic complementarities of both the states and utilizing their affinities in the domain of history, culture and civilization as bedrocks for regional integration.

The Speaker stated that the endemic poverty and human under development in the region pose considerable challenges to the policy makers in the region. He added that these are common challenges and require consistent and durable collaboration.

The Speaker remarked that Pakistan is committed to foster regional integration by linking regional countries into ‘One Belt’ of trade, prosperity and connectivity and further added that Kyrgyzstan strategic location and friendly ties with Pakistan shines prominently in Pakistan’s strategic calculation of regional integration. He assured the Kyrgyz Parliamentary delegation that Pakistan is determined to benefit the entire region from CPEC and its sea ports to assist the regional countries in achieving shared prosperity.

Kyrgyz Speaker Mr. Chynybai Tursunbekov endorsed Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for consistent Parliamentary engagement and underlined the need for facilitating people to people contacts via tourism, cultural exchange visits and meetings of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups. He also welcomed Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for diversification and expansion of trade and economic relations.

He said that Pakistani and Kyrgyz parliamentarians have a lot to learn from each other’s experience and for this purpose closer cooperation and greater parliamentary interaction is needed. He further said that both the brotherly countries are rich in natural resources which can be exploited through joint ventures for the benefit of both the nations.Endorsing his counterpart’s emphasis on bilateral cooperation for tackling regional challenges, Mr. Chynybai remarked that both the countries have great responsibility in addressing regional challenges.

Later on, a Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  was also signed between National Assembly of Pakistan and Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyz Republic in an impressive ceremony held in Parliament House. The MoU was signed by Speaker National Assembly Sardar  Ayaz  Sadiq and Speaker of the JogorkuKenesh Mr. Chynybai A. Tursunbekov. Earlier, the Kyrgyz Speaker has planted a Sapling of  Mangolia Grandi Flora in the lawn of Parliament House.The visiting delegation also witnessed the proceedings of the House. They were welcomed by the Leaders and other members of all the political parties in the National assembly. Kyrgyz delegation visited the site of Solar Energy project installed at parking area of Parliament House.