Pakistan Uzbekistan Resolve for Early Implementation of Trans Afghanistan Railway Project

ISLAMABAD:Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar  welcomed  Foreign Minister of Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr.  Bakhtiyor Saidov at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Secretary Foreign Affairs Syrus Qazi and other high level officials of MOFA were also present.

Foreign Minister  Bakhtiyor Saidov  held comprehensive talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Saidov is in Pakistan on a two-day official visit.

The two sides underscored the cultural, civilizational and historical ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan which provide a solid foundation for robust partnership in multiple domains. They also expressed satisfaction at close security and defence cooperation and robust engagement at multilateral fora such as UN, SCO and OIC.

The two sides reaffirmed commitment to early implementation of the Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan Railways project, which would give boost to bilateral and regional trade and become a bridge between South and Central Asia.

The two sides discussed at length economic cooperation, trade, investment and connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. They noted that following operationalization of Transit Trade Agreement, bilateral trade has increased 1.4 times during the previous year and has the potential to reach the targets set during the last Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) held in Tashkent in February 2023.

They agreed to identify new areas of economic cooperation and emphasized the importance of a liberal visa regime especially for the business community to promote linkages and people-to-people contacts.

The Uzbek dignitary is undertaking an official visit to Islamabad on 8-9 May 2024. During the visit, Foreign Minister Saidov will call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and other officials to discuss on a wide range of bilateral issues of mutual interest, with special focus on trade and connectivity.

The visit of the Foreign Minister of Republic of Uzbekistan is expected to provide fresh impetus to the friendly relations between the two countries.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad ,The two FMs met one on one and also held in-depth delegation level dialogue to lend a positive impetus to Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations and explore avenues of bilateral cooperation with special focus on trade, connectivity and investment.

Visit of Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan

The two sides had comprehensive talks  on all aspects of a range of bilateral relations with a focus on trade, investment, security, people-to-people contacts and connectivity projects. They also resolved to expedite efforts for early implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.

The visit of Foreign Minister Uzbekistan will further increase already cordial relations and will enhance meaningful cooperation in trade and economic spheres. The traditional historical bonds between the two countries have always proved to be catalyst in building the new basis of bilaterally beneficial ties.

Uzbek FM planted a sapling in the garden of MOFA Islamabad as a memory of his visit to the Ministry. Ambassador of Republic of Uzbekistan Oybek Arif Usmanov was also present in the visit of FM Saidov to the MOFA Pakistan.