He said this while he was talking to a Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation at

the Prime Minister House in Islamabad on Friday, according to the Asian Tribune.

Aziz said parliament plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the people and stressed the need for promoting relations of the parliamentarians of both the countries for the development of the peoples. He appreciated the increasing engagements of the parliamentarians of both the countries and described it as welcome development for overall improvement of ties between the two countries.

He said both the countries can share their best practices for the speedy development of the people and region.

Referring to the experience of Bangladesh regarding micro-finance banking, he said Pakistan has learnt a lot from this experience and now micro-financing is moving forward to new heights.

Aziz said South Asia has great potential and there is need for promoting people to people contact between the regional countries and cooperation to ensure progress and prosperity of the people of the region.

He said Pakistan is a peace loving country and striving for peace in the region.

The Pak PM said South Asia, despite enormous opportunities, has also great challenges which can be faced with greater collaboration among the South Asian countries.

Aziz said Pakistan has now vibrant democracy and a strong democratic system is working well. He said our press enjoys unprecedented freedom. The press is totally free and critical but it is playing positive role in promoting democracy, he added.

He said the electronic media is also growing fast with about 25 channels on air and more 25 are in the pipeline.

He has learnt lesson from Bangladesh and reducing population and it has achieved population growth rate of 1.9 per cent during the last year.

But he said it is not satisfactory and there is need for continuous efforts for population stabilisation as growing population can negate all gains.

Speaking on the occasion, leader of Bangladesh delegation Salahuddin Qader Chowdhry said Bangladesh was keen to enhance its ties with Pakistani people and government in all fields.

He said permanent exchange of parliamentary delegation is essential for giving new impetus to the existing ties.

Chowdhury said the delegation has come to Pakistan to express sympathy for the earthquake victims. He offered expertise for disaster management.

Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan were present.