Tashkent, 24 February 2023 (TDI): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue of Pakistan, Muhammad Ishaq Dar met the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent.
Ishaq Dar arrived in Tashkent to co-chair the 8th Session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Ministerial Commission. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Badriddin Abidov received him at the airport.
Meeting with Uzbek President
Ishaq Dar and Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed aspects of project implementation in the sectors of trade, investment, and transportation as well as issues related to the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Dar thanked the Uzbek President for the meeting and conveyed Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s greetings and best wishes.
During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on the implementation of key agreements signed on transit and preferred trade.
Furthermore, the importance of promoting specific cooperation projects in various sectors of the economy was highlighted within the framework of the intergovernmental negotiations agenda.
Also read: Pakistan, Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation in diverse sectors
Both dignitaries mentioned the importance of developing bilateral bus services as well as accelerating the railway construction project that connects Central and South Asia via Afghanistan and leads to Pakistan’s ports.
Meeting with Uzbek Trade Minister
Ishaq Dar also held a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov in Tashkent on Thursday. They discussed the ways to enhance economic, trade, and commercial relations between the two countries.
Pakistan-Uzbekistan diplomatic ties
Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan after the Soviet disintegration and liberation of Central Asian states. Pakistan and Uzbekistan have since enjoyed friendly and cordial relations with each other.
Religious coherence has also aided in strengthening this bond. Various state visits have been conducted by both sides aimed at defining regional and global aims.
Both countries also collaborate closely on multilateral forums including the United Nations (UN), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Efforts to enhance cultural integration are evident from the fact that two of the major universities in Uzbekistan have an Urdu department.
It is pertinent to note that an Urdu Club at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies was also inaugurated recently on 16 February. The Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan, Syed Ali Asad Gillani, participated as a special guest and interacted with students.
){kind=link}