Tazeen Akhtar
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has appreciated the services of Ambassador Oybek Arif Usmanov of Republic of Uzbekistan in enhancing and strengthening bilateral relations and meaningful cooperation. He admired the Ambassador for his efforts to transforming cordial political ties into strategic partnership.
The President said this in a farewell call on by the Ambassador on 23 Sep 2024 at Aiwan e Sadar Islamabad. H.E Oybek Arif Usmanov expressed his deep gratitude to government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all other ministries with whom, he worked and found them cooperative in deliverance of his duties in Pakistan.
Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian nation to sign a Transit Trade Agreement and Preferential Trade Agreement with Pakistan. Uzbek traders are increasingly using Pakistani ports for their global imports.
has been posted in Pakistan three times in his diplomatic career. One time as a young diplomat and two times as Ambassador. The level of trade, economic and connectivity rose to new heights during his tenure.
Pakistan in the World – April / May 2024
As the President of Uzbekistan , Shavkat Mirziyoyev is the torch bearer of connecting the regions, Mr. Usmanov promoted the sector in Pakistan with all his capabilities. Flagship connectivity project is Trilateral Train from Termiz city of Uzbekistan to Peshawer of Pakistan through Mazar i Sharif / Kabul of Afghanistan.
The most recent appearance of Mr. Usmanov was at Pakistani signing of accession to the MoU on Creation and Development of International Transport Corridor Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan. The instrument of accession was signed by Secretary Ministry of Communication, Ali Sher Mahsud from the Pakistan side. Ambassador of Uzbekistan H.E Oybek Arif Usmanov was present at this occasion.
Republic of New Uzbekistan, the largest country in Central Asia with respect to population and the only most connected state , having common borders with all CARs + Afghanistan.
Ambassador Usmanov was at the helm of affairs in Islamabad when both countries conducted highest level meetings, interactions and signing of agreements. Bilateral trade crossed $Half Billion and the speed of working foretell that soon it will touch the milestone of $1 Billion.
Both sides moved forward in strengthening the trade and industrial, technological projects as well as the active military cooperation in last few years thanks to the tireless efforts of both sides.
Pakistan in the World – May/June 2024
Foreign Minister Mr. Bakhtiar Saidov visited Pakistan couple of months ago and held high level meetings in Islamabad. He and DPM/ FM Pakistan Ishaq Dar agreed that both countries were actively implementing the proactive Economic Diplomacy, further cementing our multifaceted cooperation through 74 joint bilateral agreements and MOU`s.
In last 3 years only, President of Uzbekistan H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev held personal interaction with his Pakistani counterparts the PM Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir more than 9 times.
Islamabad Joins MoU on International Transport Corridor Belarus-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan
More than 50 high-level meetings and more than 100 ministerial summits took place in last few years. Both countries gained most remarkable results in Tashkent and Islamabad, Samarqand and Lahore, Bukhara and Karachi, Peshawar and Termiz. The two states achieved milestones in people to people contacts, B2B forums strengthening region to region connectivity.
“Made in Pakistan” exhibition held in Tashkent in June 2024, featured 85 Pakistani companies and attracted hundreds of Uzbek businessmen.
The diplomats and officials from both sides achieved milestones despite challenges of COVID-19 and political situations in the region including in Afghanistan. Now the business communities have conducive environment to seize opportunities through their direct B2B meetings and contacts. Both sides are optimistic that economic and trade relations should reach new heights.
Pakistan in the World – June/July 2024