ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan was committed to working with Uzbekistan to speed up and complete all bilateral trade and connectivity projects. The prime minister, in a meeting with Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, who is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan, reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to provide access to Uzbekistan to Pakistani Ports, a PM Office press release said.
He also emphasized the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project and Pakistan’s commitment to its early completion.
The two sides discussed enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in trade and economy, security and defense, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.
The importance of peace and development in Afghanistan for regional connectivity was also discussed. Congratulating the prime minister on his re-election, the Uzbek foreign minister also conveyed the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for Prime Minister Shehbaz to undertake an official visit to Uzbekistan at his earliest convenience.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and said that he was looking forward to meeting him.
Earlier, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed commitment to early implementation of Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan Railways project.
The resolve was expressed at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Islamabad today.
This project will boost bilateral and regional trade and become a bridge between South and Central Asia.
Both sides 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.
They also expressed satisfaction at close security and defence cooperation and robust engagement at multilateral fora such as UN, SCO and OIC.
