Tazeen Akhtar
Pakistan and Uzbekistan brotherly relations and cooperation entered into a new phase opening a new chapter in bilateral fraternal ties when both countries signed a Protocol on the Establishment of Joint Security Commission which was followed by the inaugural session of the Commission formed under the protocol. Establishment of this commission was the vision of President Shavkat Miromonovich and Prime Minister Imran Khan that they discussed and agreed in first online summit in mid April and later PM’s visit and meeting with President in mid July at Tashkent this year. Establishment of JSC is being seen as a milestone not only in the history of Pak-Uzbek relations but a leap forward in restoring peace and stability in two regions of Central and South Asia.
From April Summit to July Connectivity Conference , both leaders have been working on connecting the two regions with special focus on peaceful solution of Afghanistan Crisis. Visit of Lt Gen Victor is in the same connection. We can say that another dream of both the leaders has come true.
Lt. Gen. Victor Makhmudov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan arrived Islamabad on the night of 01 Nov 2021 on 3 Days official visit of Pakistan. First Deputy Foreign Minister, Former Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Furqat Sidiq is also present in the delegation. He worked on building bilateral relations during his 5 years posting in Islamabad. Mr. Furqat took the level of cooperation to new heights in all spheres including defense sector.
The newly created Commission will boost bilateral security cooperation in addressing counter-terrorism, drug and human trafficking, and trans-national organized crime.
The Prime Minister has expressed pleasure at signing of the Protocol on Establishment of Joint Security Commission (JSC) between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and holding of first meeting of the forum in Islamabad.
On 02 Nov 2021, Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Pakistan’s National Security signed the protocol from Pakistan side and participated in the first session. The said protocol covers wide-ranging security related matters of mutual interest and establishes coordination mechanism between Pakistan’s National Security Division and the Security Council of Uzbekistan under their respective heads.
Government sources shared that during the inaugural session, both sides discussed various aspects of the newly formed joint commission and the way forward for making the commission effective and mutually beneficial.
The evolving situation in Afghanistan and the need to remain constructively engaged was also discussed. The second session of the Joint Security Commission will be held in Uzbekistan next year.
The Uzbek delegation will also visit Torkham border where they will be briefed by relevant authorities. Receiving cargo trucks from Uzbekistan through Afghanistan as part of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan connectivity initiative.
Lt. General Victor Makhmudov called on Prime Minister Imran Khan along with members of his delegation including Deputy FM Furqat Sidiq. Ambassador Ayebek Arif Usmanov and DA Col Saad Ullah accompanied the delegation in the meeting.
Prime Minister noted with satisfaction the growing cooperation and enhanced trajectory of high-level visits between the two countries.He reiterated his invitation to the Uzbek President to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.
Regional connectivity is an important pillar of Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia” policy. Pakistan supports the Trans-Afghan railway project. The PM stressed the importance of its early completion.
The Foreign Minister said that the newly created Commission will promote cooperation in security and defense areas. In the regional context, the Foreign Minister stressed the need to remain positively engaged with Afghanistan through continued relief and humanitarian assistance and efforts to build economic sustainability.
