ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has underlined the need to further enhance the bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in different spheres including trade and economy, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
Talking to the Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Furkat Sidikov in Islamabad on Monday, the president pointed out that Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy close, friendly and fraternal relations based on shared faith, culture and heritage.
The president expressed the desire to further strengthen the existing excellent Pak-Uzbek bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of the people of two brotherly countries. He said that there has been an appreciable increase in our bilateral trade from previous years but we should jointly strive to increase its volume in the years ahead.
Dr. Arif Alvi underlined that there is an immense potential of religious and cultural tourism between the two countries. He added that this potential can be exploited by giving visa facilitation to citizens of the two countries.
The president pointed out that Pakistan in the next five years would focus on greater rail and road connectivity, building oil and gas pipelines and electricity transmission networks with its regional neighbors including Uzbekistan.
Arif Alvi highlighted that Gwadar Seaport with our national road and railway networks would offer shortest route available to Uzbekistan in the region to a seaport. He appreciated Uzbekistan’s proposal of a railway link between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and welcomed its lead to host the 1st Expert meeting in December 2018.
The president also welcomed Uzbek initiatives for regional peace and security, especially for the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan fully supports and encourages the peace talks between all stakeholders for a durable peace in Afghanistan.
The Uzbek envoy commended Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and stated that Uzbekistan supports Pakistan’s point of view on Afghanistan issue.
Furkat Sidikov further said that there is a tremendous potential to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries, and he will make all possible efforts in this regard.
