BAKU/ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has proposed a liberal visa regime and direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Azerbaijan to promote bilateral trade, investment and tourism. He said that the present state of bilateral economic ties does not commensurate with the potential and there is need to explore possibility of cooperation in diverse fields. The senate chairman said that mutual support on the conflicts of Nagorno-Karabakh and Kashmir testifies to close understanding between Islamabad and Baku. He said that a strong relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is visible from the frequency of high level interaction between the two sides and the defense cooperation is strengthening steadily. “We want our relationship to grow further by utilising the potential,” Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani emphasised. He stressed that extension of North-South Transport Corridor to Gwadar Port would ensure the much needed connectivity and give boost to trade links between the two countries. The senate chairman also greeted the Azeri president on the 100th anniversary of the parliament of Azerbaijan. The senate chairman was accompanied by Senators Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Muhammad Ayub Afridi and Nighat Mirza. The president of Azerbaijan while welcoming the delegation said that Pakistan is an important country and there is huge scope to further build on cooperation and strengthen linkages. The president felicitated Sadiq Sanjrani on assuming the office of senate chairman. On the sidelines, Sanjrani held meetings with leaders, heads of parliament and delegates from Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Korea and other countries. He said that parliaments have to play a dynamic and effective role to promote peace in the Asian region for socio-economic prosperity. He said that there is need to create conducive environment for trade and investment and explore the untapped potential. He said that Pakistan supports efforts aimed at peace and stability in the region. Published in Daily Times, September 21st 2018.