H.E Aybek Arif Usmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Organizers of the Round Table “Uzbekistan’s Input in Building Connectivity – South Asia, Eurasia and Beyond”
As an Editor of Diplomatic affairs web and mag “Pakistan in the World” and reporting on Bilateral Relations regularly, As a visitor to Uzbekistan two times to cover Central Asia South Asia Connectivity Conference in July 2021 & Presidential election in Oct 2021, and As I have closely observed the development of mutual bonds over the years :
I can state without apprehension of contradiction that the Connectivity between Central Asia and South Asia had changed the destiny of our region deep in history (if we see the scattered Indian sub continent united into one Moghliya State) and it can be a game changer at present day world as well for not only both regions but for 3 continents Asia, Europe and Africa as well thanks to the initiatives taken by the vigilant leadership of Uzbekistan. Connectivity and Communication Means between Pakistan and Uzbekistan can open new avenues of trade, tourism and….. trust above all. Both countries can diversify their mutual trade and communication for other sectors like energy, agriculture, investments, education, culture etc. The bilateral links may further pave the way for connectivity for supply routes between the continents as well, let alone the regions.
No one has any doubt that, Uzbekistan under the visionary leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with the efforts of a dedicated and committed team the President has in his cabinet, at foreign ministry and in Islamabad ,played key role in enhancing the understanding and consensus on the necessity of connectivity. Pakistan having the flag ship project of China’s OBOR was already prepared and mindful for that carrying the inclusive foreign policy for Central Asian Republics, especially for Uzbekistan for its central geographic and strategic location. Direct Flights, the Most prompt, effective mean of Connectivity:
Uzbekistan was the very first country in Central Asia to start direct flights to Pakistan. Earlier, once upon a time, like 20 years ago, a private Pakistani airline “AeroAsia” was operating limited flights but later it was closed. Years after , Uzbekistan Air took the risk of financial losses to build a bridge between two countries. As COVID-19 affected badly the world travel industry especially the air travel, Uzbekistan Air was not an exception to keep the operation intact.
Both countries are working on the restoration of direct flights since last one year. Pakistan understands that our airline is supposed to reciprocate because there are many attractions for the large number of travelers from Pakistan.
Uzbekistan is the country of Amir Temur, the ancestor of Moghal, Baig, Mirza, Birlas community. Uzbekistan is home of Imam Bukhari. Uzbekistan is home of Al-Bairooni and many other religious scholars including the Naqshbandi faith. Uzbekistan is the land of Mirza Asad ullah Ghalib, who is favorit of all Urdu poetry lovers.
Urdu is getting more attention among the youth of Uzbekistan. Tashkent or Samarkand can be alternative destinations instead of Istanbul,Doha or Dubai to Europe for Pakistani travelers, saving the time and money as the less fuel may decrease the air fares.
In Feb 2021, (PIA) sought permission from Uzbekistan to operate its flights from Lahore to Tashkent and announced an increase in the number of international flights.Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik had talks with Ambassador Aybak Arif Usmanov and Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gilani. PIA was seeking to start flights by the end of March 2021.
In October 2021, in a meeting with the journalists from Pakistan, Deputy Foreign Minister Furqat Sidikov expressed hope for resumption of flights soon after the pandemic is over or controlled.
On March 3, 2022, Pakistani Minister for Civil Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that a series of direct flights From Pakistan to Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will start in March but the Government of PM Imran Khan was ousted after successful no trust next month. Government of PM Shehbaz continued the work on connectivity agreements. It is satisfactory that President Shavkat and PM Shehbaz have complete understanding and common approach to the requirements of connectivity means.
We hope that the implementation on agreements reached already , including direct flights and trans afghan railway will be accelerated to be accomplished as early as possible.
It is a multilateral treaty of customs that facilitates the international transport of goods. TIR eliminates the need to pay customs duties and taxes. Afghanistan rejoined the TIR after a 30-year suspension in 2013, while Pakistan joined in 2017.
April, May 2021 brought a major breakthrough in interconnecting the regions – Pakistan ,Uzbekistan traded goods on trucks that traveled by road through Afghanistan. It was a milestone for regional economic connectivity.
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR DR. MOEED YUSUF ALONG WITH MINISTER OF COMMERECE ABDUL RAZAK DAWOOD AND FIVE MEMBERS UZBEK DELEGATION LEAD BY LT. GENERAL VICTOR MAKHMUDOV VISITED TORKHAM ON 3RD NOVEMBER, 2021.
Pakistani truck with medicine traveled from Karachi on April 9 and reached Tashkent, via Kabul on May 4. Uzbek truck loaded with leather products started historic journey from Tashkent on May 9 and arrived at Torkham on May 11. Deputy Foreign Minister Furqat and his delegation received the truck at Pak-Afghan Border.
It was a pilot project to test the route only. Fortunately it was successful test that further strengthens the hope that sooner or later the 3 countries can be connected by road to boost regional trade integration and connectivity.
The Trans-Afghan railway project:
The Trans-Afghan railway is promising project that was proposed by Uzbekistan in Dec 2018 and reciprocated in same spirit by Pakistan. Luckily, the Taliban Government also agreed with the connecting vision of President Shavkat. At present, 75 KM railway is connecting Tirmiz city of Uzbekistan to Mazar e Sharif of Afghanistan. Trans Afghan is to link it with Peshawar via Kabul and Nangarhaar province. This arrangement can connect Uzbekistan and Afghanistan with the Sea Ports of Karachi, Gawader. Pakistan has already willing rather welcoming to provide the seaports connectivity to both countries.
The last and the latest one on one meeting of President Shavkat and PM Shehbaz had a focus on the same project. PM Shehbaz pledged to leave no stone unturned to implement this project.According to a published report in Uzbek media, the railway would have capacity of up to 20 million tons of cargo per annum, it would slice travel time to just 3 to 5 days. The railway line is planned to be 573 km and will be built with estimated cost of $4.8 billion. The time frame is approximately five years.
In short, vision is there, commonality of thoughts is there, agreements are there, most importantly , the consensus is there from Afghanistan, Russian Federation, USA as well, therefore it is hoped that the issues of security, geographical distances, and financial hurdles can be addressed amicably.
H.E Aybek Arif Usmanov,
As an Editor of Diplomatic affairs web and mag “Pakistan in the World” and reporting on Bilateral Relations regularly, As a visitor to Uzbekistan two times to cover Central Asia South Asia Connectivity Conference in July 2021 & Presidential election in Oct 2021, and As I have closely observed the development of mutual bonds over the years :
Connectivity and Communication Means between Pakistan and Uzbekistan can open new avenues of trade, tourism and….. trust above all. Both countries can diversify their mutual trade and communication for other sectors like energy, agriculture, investments, education, culture etc. The bilateral links may further pave the way for connectivity for supply routes between the continents as well, let alone the regions.
Direct Flights, the Most prompt, effective mean of Connectivity: 
According to a published report in Uzbek media, the railway would have capacity of up to 20 million tons of cargo per annum, it would slice travel time to just 3 to 5 days. The railway line is planned to be 573 km and will be built with estimated cost of $4.8 billion. The time frame is approximately five years.
