Islamabad, August 3rd, 2016:  Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan is set to open a new chapter in vibrantPak-Turkmenistan inter-Parliamentary relations.  He was speaking to the Chairperson Turkmenistan’s Parliamentary delegation led by his counterpart Mrs. Akja Tajiyewna Nurberdiyeva.

He outlined that Pakistan is proud of its brotherly relations with Turkmenistan and added that shared strategic calculations and mutuality of interests have brought the two nations ever closer. The Speaker termed Turkmenistan as “Pakistan’s partners” in its endeavors for the regional peace and prosperity.He said that Pak-Turkmen cooperation at various multilateral and bilateral forums is highly imperative for achieving shared objectives of regional and global peace. Referring to the repeated meetings of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov during the last 14 months, he added that top leadership of both countries is determined to forge deeper cooperation. Appreciating the repeated meetings of Pak-Turkmen Parliamentary Friendship Group, he urged the need for adding a new vigor to Pak-Turkmenistan inter-Parliamentary ties and exploring other avenues for furthering people to people contacts between the two brotherly countries.

The Speaker outlined that Turkmenistan’s energy potential may greatly assist in restraining Pakistan’s power shortages and reciprocally Pakistani sea ports as well as  expertise in agriculture sector, food processing and textiles will potentially benefit Turkmenistan.Referring to the 8 MoUs signed between the two nations during the visit of Turkmen President to Pakistan in March, 2016, he urged the need for boosting bilateral trade and diversification of economic relations for mutual prosperity. He remarked that the completion of TAPI Pipeline would open a new chapter of energy cooperation between Asian nations to ease energy deficits in South Asia.

Chairperson of the Mejlis of the Turkemenistan Mrs. Akja Tajiyewna Nurberdiyeva said that Turkmenistan is determined to foster robust ties with Pakistan through enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation. She remarked that Pakistan-Turkmenistan bilateral cooperation will unleash a new wave of connectivity in the region.

She added that Turkmenistan consider its partnership with Pakistan highly essential for promoting peace in the region. Mrs. Akja Tajiyewna endorsed Ayaz Sadiq’s proposal for expanding people to people contacts and exchange of Parliamentary delegations.  Later on, the Turkmen Speaker also signed the visitor’s book along with her comments.The delegation also visited the Solar Power Plant installed in the premises of Parliament to meet the energy requirement of Parliament House.