79th birthday of Islam Karimov observed in Islamabad
“Late Uzbek President Islam Karimov was the Father of the young Uzbek Nation and he devoted his whole life for his Mother Land”.
“Karimov had a balance Foreign Policy based on the principles of equality, respect, friendly neighbourhood and development of Uzbekistan”.
These were observations of speakers at a sitting arranged by Embassy of Republic of Uzbekistan here today in Islamabad to celebrate 79th birthday (anniversary) of late President Islam Karimov. It may be mentioned that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced January 30 as day of commemoration to remember services of Islam Karimov and Uzbekistan placed the day on the list of its national days and day would be celebrated every onward.
Uzbek Ambassador in Pakistan Furqat SIDIQOV in his opening remarks at sitting said that late President Islam Karimov provided a solid base for Uzbekistan to flourish in the world and he invested his resources for the development of youth of the country. He added newly elected President Shavkat Mirziyoyev decided to observe birthday of Karimov that is on January 30 as day of commemoration to remember services of Islam Karimov ansd the day was observed within Uzbekistan and also all over the world where Uzbeks live. He explained that sitting was arranged to pay homage to late President Karimov who dedicated his life to his nation.
Ambassador Furqat SIDIQOV informed participants of sitting that Uzbekistan has become a hub for investment and a large number of foreign investors have been invested in heavy industry belong from all parts of the world. He maintained that Uzbekistan and Pakistan are (were) brotherly countries and have strong historic relations. He was of the view that both countries were on right path of their bilateral relations and are becoming closer with every passing day.
Addressing the sitting a senior journalist Safeer Shah explained participants about how presidential elections were held in Uzbekistan transparently and shared his experiences of Presidential Elections coverage as he covered December 4, 2016 Presidential Elections as an international journalist.
He informed participants that Uzbek youth had been proactive during presidential elections and elections commission provided best possible arrangements to conduct elections.
President of Pak-Uzbek Forum and senior journalist and anchorperson Agha Iqrar Haroon informed participants that he had been visiting central Asia since 1993 as journalist and development observer and had observed rise of Uzbek nation after it got independence in early 90s.
He also shared his experiences of Uzbekistan as traveler and said that late President Islam Karimov provided a strong base by investing on Uzbek youth. He said that Uzbekistan offers (offered) best infrastructure and environment for tourism development and Uzbek as nation are very hospitable and provide excellent security and friendly atmosphere for visitors.
Explaining achievements of late President he said that Karimov had a balance Foreign Policy based on the principles of equality, respect, friendly neighbourhood and development of Uzbekistan and dedicated his whole life for his nation.
Haroon said that despite bordering troubled Afghanistan Uzbekistan maintained excellent law and order situation because of policies of former late President because he had zero tolerance for anything that could harm his country.
Talking about trade and economy, Haroon said that principle of trade balance had been top priority during late President Karimov and he (Karimov) believed in bilateral trade relations instead of one-sided trade relations to maintain trade balance.
General Manager of Uzbekistan Airways in Pakistan Hamid Mahmood informed participants that twice a week flight operation would be resumed from Lahore to Tashkent on April 5, 2017 and said that it would be a great opportunity for people of Pakistan to visit historic cities of Uzbekistan.
He added that late President Karimov played a pivotal role for tourism development in Uzbekistan and maintenance of renovation of historic buildings had been his top priority.
He was of the view that people to people contact would enhance after resumption of flights between the two countries.
It may be mentioned that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyaev signed a presidential decree on January 25, 2017 that explains plans to remember Karimov in future by remaining Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent International Airport, and the Arts Palace in the eastern city of Ferghana after the name of late President Islam Karimov.
President Mirziyaev also ordered for the construction of a memorial complex at grave site of Karimov in Samarkand while monuments will also be erected in Tashkent, Samarkand and Qashqadaryo with statues of Karimov.
