ISLAMABAD: Senate Chair­man Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has said that Asian people have to be master of their own destiny, adding that parliaments of Asian countries can play an active role in promotion of regional cooperation through intra- regional trade and economic links.

Addressing the Mili-Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan on the eve of its 100th anniversary, Mr Sanjrani said that Asia would become epicentre of trade and economic activities with the collective approach for overcoming the issues being faced by the people of Asia.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Senate Secretariat, he said that it was the responsibility of the Asian leadership to rise to the occasion and work together for socio-economic prosperity of the region.

The Senate chairman underscored the need for enhanced parliamentary cooperation through increased exchanges of parliamentarian delegations which would provide opportunities to lawmakers to share their experiences. The two countries had witnessed excellent cooperation at regional and internal forums, he added.

The issues of Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir were of similar nature as innocent civilians were 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-held Kashmir, the Senate chairman said that the Indian occupation forces had unleashed a reign of terror in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and called on the world leaders to take notice of human rights violations being committed by the Indian Forces in IOK.

Mr Sanjrani also underpinned the significance of liberal visa regime and connectivity with Azerbaijan for mutual benefit.

He termed his visit highly important and hoped that it would contribute to furthering the fraternal ties. He extended an invitation to delegates from different countries to participate in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly being held in Gwadar in the last week of October.

The Senate chairmanwas accompanied by Senators Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Ayub Afridi and Nighat Mirza.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018