Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Uzbek Foreign Minister Dr Abdulaziz Kamilov in federal capital on Wednesday (today) and mulled over bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the meeting PM Imran Khan recalled his interactions with President Mirziyoyev in Beijing and Bishkek and reiterated his invitation to the Uzbek President to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.
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The premier underscored the historic links between the two countries and accentuated that Pakistan highly valued its close fraternal ties with Uzbekistan and wished to deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas.
PM Imran emphasized that enhanced trade and regional connectivity were the cornerstones of economic growth and development. He also reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to forge closer ties with Central Asia, covering trade, investments, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Kamilov called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI in Islamabad earlier today. pic.twitter.com/TH2nPX569E
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) March 10, 2021
Furthermore, The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the proposed Trans-Afghan railway project between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts for the earliest realization of this important connectivity project.
Pakistan is capable of offering the shortest route to international seas to all Central Asian Republics through Karachi and Gwadar ports and could be the gateway to landlocked Central Asia, he said.
Additionally, PM Imran reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate Uzbekistan’s access to Pakistani ports.
Meanwhile Uzbek Foreign Minister Kamilov conveyed cordial greetings of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and reiterated Uzbekistan’s commitment to expand bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields.
The visiting dignitary handed over a letter from President Mirziyoyev addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, inviting him to participate in a Central Asia-South Asia Connectivity Conference in Tashkent in July 2021.
FM Qureshi Meets Uzbek Counterpart
Separately, FM Qureshi hosted a luncheon in the honor of his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov and his delegation at the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade.
Good to meet Uzbek FM #AbdulazizKamilov for constructive talks to strengthen ties, build enhanced eco partnership centered on peace, development & connectivity. We are working closely to build regional connectivity with the timely construction of Trans-Afghan rail project. 🇵🇰 🇺🇿 pic.twitter.com/ZG8svf0us1
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 10, 2021
The meeting was also attended by Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Adviser on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, Federal Secretary for Maritime Affairs Rizwan Ahmed and senior officers of the Minister for Foreign Affairs were also present on the occasion.
FM Qureshi highlighted that enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan is an essential prerequisite for early materialization of the trans-Afghan railways project among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
