Uzbekistan celebrated Day of the Defenders of Motherland @ Marriott Islamabad on 30 Jan 2020. A magnificent reception was hosted by Mr. & Mrs H.E Furqatbek Akhmed Sidiq to mark the auspicious occasion and share the festivity with the Pakistani brothers and sisters.
Vice Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi of Pakistan Navy was Chief Guest. High officials from other wings of Pakistan Military, representatives from Government of Pakistan, members of Parliament, businessman community, press and media persons, civil society were also present.
Smartly dressed Uzbek Military Band enthralled the notable audience.Beautiful traditional dance and music performance by the Uzbek Artists made the event colorful and memorable for long.
A lady officer of Uzbekistan Military astonished the local listeners by singing renown Pakistani Milli song “Sooraj Karay Salaam-Chanda Karay Salaam”. The audience appreciated her with a big applause.
Ambassador Furqatbek Akhmed Sidiq, in his welcome address, welcomed the guests and said that we highly value our relations with Pakistani government and the people as they have special liking with our country and people.
Here it is worth mentioning that Uzbekistan and Pakistan have deep rooted connections in the history through centuries. Both countries came into existence in the regions that were frequently visited by the residents of both regions. United India had been ruled by Moghal Emperors for centuries. The founder of Moghal Dynasty Zaheer ud Din Babur hailed from Farghana valley of present Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan is a country where a federating unit exists with the name of Pakstan, just like the word Pakistan. Uzbekistan is a country of Imam Bukhari – Albaironi -Bu Ali Sina -Khawarzmi – Amir Temur and last but not the least Saeed Baig (Maheenwal). All very well known, respected and named after in Pakistan.
Maheenwal was the lover of Sohni of Gujrat district of Punjab province of Pakistan. This is commonly known love story on which many films and dramas have been pictured both in India and Pakistan.Uzbekistan has a diverse cultural heritage due to its storied history and strategic location.
Further significance of this country is it is the only country having direct flights from Pakistan(Lahore) enhancing trade and tourism between both countries.
Ambassador Furqatbek Akhmed Sidiq has contributed a lot to raise the level of bilateral trade, tourism and economic cooperation in last few years. Direct flights between Tashkent (Tashqand) and Lahore by Uzbekistan Airlines is the result of his efforts. Bilateral trade and economic cooperation level has increased almost four fold since he has assumed his responsibilities in Islamabad.
Another feather to his cap is Uzbekistan’s Day of the Defenders of Motherland is being celebrated at the Headquarters of Pakistan Military for last 2 years consecutively that shows closed cooperation between the two defense forces as well.
Tazeen Akhtar Editor 
