ISLAMABAD: The Speakers of India and Pakistan on Monday agreed to continue enhancing process of engagement at respective parliamentary levels, enabling the two sides to build better relations and leading up to ever-lasting peace in South Asia.

Both the Speakers - Pakistan's Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and India's Smt. Meira Kumar held a meeting in Male, Maldives on the sidelines of 7th SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians Conference, says a message received here.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the two neighboring countries have multiple challenges of poverty and illiteracy and it is important to fight these challenges together instead of wasting resources in confronting each other.

He stressed on keeping all available channels open to avoid escalation of miss-trust and bitterness on both sides.

Parliaments, as the real voices of the people, are better placed to engage and seek common solutions to common problems.

He stressed for exploring possibilities of joint collaboration between the National Assembly and Lok Sabha in Legislative Drafting, Rules of Business and other parliamentary practices.

Speaker Meira Kumar appreciated the vision and thoughts of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq by saying that "you may choose your friends but not your neighbours however, if the choice is ever given to her or her countrymen, they would all have chosen Pakistan as their neighbour."

She agreed that the elected representatives have a responsibility to build strong and meaningful relations and praised Pakistan's role in SAARC.

She said that dialogues and efforts of both the countries from all levels must be directed towards peace in the region.

She welcomed the suggestions of her counterpart and reiterated an invitation to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to visit India.

Speaker Sadiq accepted the invitation and hoped that his presence in India would help bringing the relationship to another level.

The meeting ended with a strong call of peace and friendship between the two neighbouring states.

Source: APP