Beijing, 5 February 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan met with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing.
DISCUSSION DURING THE MEETING
The two leaders exchanged views in detail on the entire gamut of bilateral relations based on shared bonds of faith, history, and culture and marked by cordiality and close cooperation.
The two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to comprehensively upgrade the Pakistan-Uzbekistan partnership across the broad spectrum and continue taking practical steps for the implementation of the key projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the importance of enhanced trade and economic cooperation, particularly through operationalizing the landmark bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and finalizing the Preferential Trade Agreement.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s full support of the Trans-Afghan railway project and exchanged views on the next steps in taking it forward over the coming months. To further improve connectivity and people-to-people contacts, the Prime Minister underlined the need to enhance tourism, take all steps for resuming direct flights, strengthen banking links, and facilitate visas procedures.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in education and culture and recognized progress on joint research and media ventures, including a joint film on Baburi heritage and dubbing of Pakistani dramas in the Uzbek language.
They also exchanged views on issues of regional peace and stability. The two sides stressed the need to continue economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. That humanitarian assistance would be by the international community to avoid any further deterioration of the situation.
Stressing the need for practical engagement; the two leaders agreed that a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan was vital for regional stability as well as for the realization of infrastructure and connectivity projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that the Pakistanis were looking forward to welcoming President Mirziyoyev on his visit to Pakistan. The two sides agreed to work closely to ensure the concrete outcome of the visit.
PAKISTAN-UZBEKISTAN RELATIONS
Uzbekistan became independent following the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations with Pakistan shortly after; as it was one of the first countries to recognize them as an independent country.
The two countries had a strained relationship due to the situation in Afghanistan, but after the fall of the Taliban, it improved. The arrival of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev deepened Uzbek outreach to regional countries was a reason for that improvement.
Currently, their bilateral relations are cordial and getting stronger every day. Pakistan has an Embassy in Tashkent and Uzbekistan has an Embassy in Islamabad. The current Pakistani Ambassador in Uzbekistan is Syed Ali Asad Gillani.
Moreover, Gillani joined the Foreign Ministry as Assistant Director in Human Resource Department in 1998. According to the Embassy, Gillani studied Chinese at Beijing Language and Cultural University.
Gillani has served in Pakistan’s Missions in Beijing (Third Secretary), Geneva (First Secretary), Tokyo (Counsellor); and Ankara (Minister/Deputy Head of Mission). Gillani assumed the diplomatic mission of Pakistan in Tashkent in 2020.
WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES 2022 START
The Winter Olympic Games started on February 4 and will end on February 20. It has a total of 109 events of 15 disciplines. Athletes from 91 countries are part and are competing to be the best of the world.
China is the host of these Olympic Games with main headquarters being Beijing. The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, invited several heads of state to attend the inauguration ceremony.
Among those heads of state invited to the ceremony was the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan; and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The official mascot is the panda bear Bing Dwen Dwen.
