Islamabad, May 11, 2016: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan was keen to expand its economic and trade cooperation in the region extending to Central and South East Asia. He said that Pakistan desired to facilitate foreign investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, information technology, health and energy sectors.  He expressed these views while speaking to Ambassadors of Japan and Turkmenistan, who called on him separately today at Parliament House, Islamabad.

While talking to Japanese Ambassador Mr. Takashi Kuria, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan and Japan enjoyed cordial relations validated by trade and cooperation between the two nations. Referring to Pak-Japan robust relations, he added that both the countries stood with each other side by side when faced with challenges. The Speaker highlighted that Pakistan had shown immense interest in cementing trade and economic relations with Japan. He stated that Japan was one of the largest import destinations for Pakistan.

The Speaker urged the need for regular exchanges of Parliamentary delegations for facilitating all-encompassing robust bilateral relations. He remarked that the Parliamentary Friendship Group between Pakistan and Japan at National Assembly of Pakistan exhibited the notion of commitment to strong bilateral relations between both the countries.

Appreciating Pakistan’s economic potential, Japanese Ambassador highlighted that Japan would continue to work with Pakistan in order to strengthen economic relations with Pakistan. He endorsed Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for diversification of trade and economic relations. He appreciated Pakistan’s role in global fight against terrorism.

While speaking to Ambassador of Turkmenistan Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, the Speaker remarked that Turkmenistan held a unique importance in Pakistan’s strategic calculations for regional cooperation. He highlighted that Pak-Turkmenistan relations were grounded in shared perspective on regional challenges and stronger cultural affinities and urged the need for taking this relation to a new height. He outlined that TAPI pipeline was not just an energy pipeline but a milestone in forging greater integration between South and Central Asian nations. He remarked that Pakistan confidently counted on Turkmenistan’s cooperation for restraining Pakistan’s energy dip.

Mr. Atadjan Movlamov highly appreciated Pakistan’s renewed shift in policy to focus on Central Asia and its endeavors for facilitating infrastructural connectivity. He reaffirmed his commitment for expanding trade and cultural relations with Pakistan and urged the need for greater exchanges of Parliamentary delegations. He further added that Turkmenistan aspired to deepen people to people contacts with Pakistan for strengthening bilateral relations.