Vow to revive traditional cooperative partnership: PM says bilateral trade increased 50pc in a year
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have expressed commitment to revive the traditional cooperative partnership through improved connectivity.
At a joint press conference with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that it is a matter of satisfaction that trade between the two brotherly countries increased by 50 percent in the last one year while joint ventures between the business communities of the two countries enhanced by 5 percent.
The prime minister said, “We have decided to resume direct flights between the two countries that will not only improve connectivity but will help promote tourism and trade.” He said that a train route with Uzbekistan will help boost linkages with Central Asian States which will also benefit the war-torn Afghanistan.
The prime minister said that both countries will jointly produce a film on Mughal Emperor Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur. He said that he has shared his narrative on human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Uzbek President.
The prime minister said the United Nations should fully implement the international law against human rights violations in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over the Afghanistan issue, the prime minister said, “We will be lobbying to unfreeze the assets of Afghanistan.” He said a campaign will be launched to devise ways and suggest measures for the recognition of Afghanistan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a one-on-one meeting. The prime minister gave a red-carpet welcome to the Uzbek president at the Prime Minister House upon his arrival. The visiting official was also given a guard of honour by the contingents of the three services.
After receiving the guard of honour, the Uzbek president and the PM introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for a one-on-one meeting. The visiting dignitary also planted a sapling on the lawn of the PM Office.
Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan had received Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev upon his arrival in Islamabad as he arrived in the country for a two-day visit. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier received the Uzbek president at the Noor Khan Airbase at Chaklala, Rawalpindi.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed various agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) including the bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) for increased cooperation in the areas of trade, culture, tourism, connectivity, climate change and security.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, who also signed the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Declaration: “Next Step in the Strategic Partnership” witnessed the signing ceremony held here at the PM House after the two leaders had a one-on-one meeting and held wide-ranging talks.
Agreement on cooperation in the field of Television and Radio Broadcasting between the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan and the Pakistan Television Corporation was signed by Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and Uzbek Minister for Culture Ozodbek Nazabekov.
The MoU between the Uzbek Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony for the promotion of Pilgrimage Tourism was signed by Minister for Religious Affairs Noor ul Haq Qadri and Uzbek Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov.
The MoU between Uzbekistan and Pakistan on cooperation in the field of environment and climate change was signed by Special Assistant to PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade Sardar Umurzakov.
Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Uzbek Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade signed the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Preferential Trade Agreement.
The Action Plan of practical measures (roadmap) to further develop cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in the fields of security was signed by National Security Advisor Dr. Moeed Yousaf and Secretary to the Uzbek Security Council Viktor Makhmudov.
The MoU between Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan was signed by Secretary / Chairman Pakistan Railways Habib ur Rehman Gilani and Uzbek Minister for Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov.
The MoU on cooperation between Khokimiyat of Tashkent City of Uzbekistan and the Administration of Islamabad City of Pakistan was signed by Administrator MCI Hamza Shafqat and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Oybek Usmanov.
The MoU on cooperation between the Surkhandarya Region of Uzbekistan and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan was signed by Secretary Industries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Oybek Usmanov.
This is the Uzbek president’s maiden visit to Pakistan after taking over his country’s highest office in 2016. He is in Islamabad at the invitation of PM Imran. The Uzbek president is leading a high-level delegation that includes cabinet members and businessmen. TLTP
