Tashkent: July 17, 2021-(TDI) Prime Minister Pakistan Imran Khan reached Tashkent on July 15 along with his cabinet and delegation. Prime Minister Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov warmly received Prime Minister Imran Khan. The two days visit was packed with activities and meetings.
On the first day, Prime Minister Imran Khan first laid flowers at the Monument of Independence and Humanism on the Independence Square in Tashkent. Then-Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Business Forum. The forum was organized by Pakistan in Tashkent with the coordination of Uzbek authorities. It highlighted the economic and bilateral trade opportunities and advantages for both countries. Prime Minister Imran Khan also addressed the business community at the event. He mentioned cultural, political, and religious ties between both countries and emphasized the importance of the Trans Afghan Railway Project for both countries. He also mentioned the peaceful political solution of Afghanistan Numbers for the success of the project. Pakistan and Uzbekistan trade connectivity will open new avenues for regional prosperity. Later a welcome ceremony was held at the Koksaray Presidential Palace. Guard of Honor accorded to the Prime Minister Imran Khan. The delegation-level talks were also held in the Presidential Palace. Both countries also signed many MOU’s and Agreements. Exchange of Pre-Arrival information on goods, transit trade, cooperation in the field of military education, simplification of visa procedures for businessmen and tourist groups are some of them. The Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan also signed MOU’s with each other on Cultural Exchange Program 2021-2026 and programs relating to tourism. Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a joint press stakeout with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
On the second day, Prime Minister Imran Khan was received by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the International Congress Centre Tashkent. He attended the Conference on Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity. He also participated and addressed the people at the conference. In his speech, he mentioned the challenges of regional connectivity. He called out President Afghanistan Afraf Ghani and said that Pakistan’s foremost priority is stability and peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan will provide initiatives for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan as well as economic and structural development. He further added that the country that is most affected by the turmoil in Afghanistan is Pakistan. No state strived harder than Pakistan to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table for the peace settlement. It is unfair to blame Pakistan for what is happening in Afghanistan. However, he said still if all the Central Asian countries and other neighbors work together, we can make Afghan Peace Process successful. Secondly, he mentioned the Pakistan and India dispute in Kashmir. If both countries resolve the issue, it will bring prosperity to South Asia and Central Asia. Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a delegation-level meeting with President Ashraf Ghani. The Prime Minister along with his delegation visited Samarkand and visited the Shrine of Hazrat Imam Bukhari. At last, he also visited the Mausoleum of Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi at Bukhara.
