ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan Ambassador Mr Aybek Arif Usmanov on Tuesday said that the construction of transregional railway link between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan could prove to be the game-changing move which could pave the way for bringing a new era of development of entire region.
“Particular attention of our nations and brotherly neighbor nation is the construction project of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway. Last month in Tashkent new project office was established and in Islamabad trilateral recent meeting of the project office hosted by the Government of Pakistan (Ministry of Railways) three countries have signed the Protocol upon the feasibility studies, financing and construction of this Game changer project which was historic by all means,” said the ambassador while addressing a reception held here to commemorate 32nd Independence Day of Uzbekistan.
The event, held at a local hotel, was graced by Mr Gohar Ejaz as chief guest while envoys, diplomats, politicians and journalists also attended.
Amb Aybek Arif Usmanov said that the diplomatic community is witnessing that same wise approach and long-term Development Strategy is now been implemented in Pakistan under the leadership of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar and all ministries and military institutions of Pakistan.
“Let me express my believe that every next year meetings will be resulted with new significant inputs for the further cementing of brotherly relations and re-connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan,” he added.
He said that leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan underscored the importance of further strengthening of bilateral relations and accelerating regional connectivity in the fields of Pharmaceutical production, energy, agriculture, IT, textiles and logistics, Inshallah.
“What a honor and exceptional privilege for me to be posted for the third time in this great country Pakistan and to be a humble servant of the re-connectivity between our two regions and nations,” he added.
“I’m extremely grateful to the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Hon Dr. Arif Alvi, the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan army Navy and Air force for great achievements we gained in our connectivity. In last years our brotherly cooperation has been elevated to a level of the strategical partnership due to confidant political dialogue, strengthening the trade and industrial, technological projects as well as the active military cooperation between our armed forces,” he added.
“Only in last 2 years we together have increased nearly half billion of bilateral trade via brotherly Afghanistan based on Transit and Preferential trade agreements. No doubt that our teams along with our colleagues will reach very soon the goals of recently signed 1 billlion Trade and Industrial cooperation Road Map, Inshallah,” he added.
“During his fruitful meetings with my President, Prime Minister and uzbek entrepreneurs Dr. Gohar Ijaz has in detail devised the longtime and mutually beneficial Strategy for further increasing the trade investment and industrial cooperation between our countries and businesses,” he added.
“Only this year after successful high-level summits of my President and Prime Minister of Pakistan we had conducted the 8th Joint ministerial commission in Tashkent. And nowadays we are implementing new connectivity projects with the help of Chambers of Commerce’s and industrial associations in Islamabad and all provinces of Pakistan,” he added.
“With your valuable and tireless efforts we been able to arrange in last 2 years more than a dozen high-level meetings more than hundred ministerial summits. In Tashkent and Islamabad Samarqand and Lahore, Bukhara and Karachi Peshawar and Termiz we gained most remarkable results – as the people to people contacts, business to business forums while strengthening region to region institutional connectivity. Alhamdillilah,” he added.
“Uzbekistan is very grateful to Pakistani politicians military leaders, experts and journalists who visited my country as observers during the Referendum (April 30 2023) and then on early Presidential Elections day (July 9, 2023). Many thanks for your valuable input as you all have witnessed the large turnout of the voters supporting the renewed Constitution,” he added.
Referring to speech of President of Uzbekistan Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his address on the 32nd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ambassador said that Mirziyoyev has stressed that large-scale work carried out in recent years and the results achieved serve as a solid foundation for strengthening.
“A clear confirmation is that over the past six years, the gross domestic product in the country has grown by more than 1.5 times, and the number of business entities – by 2 times, industrial growth has exceeded 40%. We must never forget that natural resources are wealth that belongs to future generations. Only united – we are a one nation, only together – a strong country,” the envoy quoted Shavkat Mirziyoyev as saying.
