- Lauds corridor-based approach to maximize potential as a step in right direction
- Discusses common challenges, regional cooperation and collective prosperity with Azerbaijan President
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has stressed for making Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) more vibrant and efficient through accelerated reforms to realize its full potential.
Addressing the 16th ECO Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, he said a well-connected region can bring colossal economic and peace dividends for our peoples.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کا دورۂ ازبکستان
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کا تاشقند کنونشن سنٹر پہنچنے پر ازبکستان کے صدر شوکت مرزیوئیف نے استقبال کیا۔
وزیراعظم تاشقند کنونشن سنٹر میں منعقدہ سولہویں ای سی او سر براہی اجلاس سے خطاب کریں گے۔#PMKakarinUzbekistan… pic.twitter.com/nBen3JqPOF
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 9, 2023
The Prime Minister noted that the corridor based approach adopted by the ECO to maximize potential was a step in the right direction. Such corridors will lead to greater connectivity amongst the member countries and usher in a new era of massive economic growth in the region.
He said the corridor projects will facilitate an enabling environment for the private sector to widen business and investment opportunities. Terming operationalization of Istanbul-Tehran- Islamabad corridor a significant development, he said Pakistan is upgrading its rail and road infrastructure to facilitate trade with the neighbors and beyond. He said it is imperative that more border crossing points in the ECO region are notified so that trade operations are facilitated.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is being received by the President of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev at Tashkent Convention Center on the occasion of 16th ECO Summit.#ECO_16summit #PMKakarinUzbekistan #Tashkent2023 pic.twitter.com/y8xJF3AAqV
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 9, 2023
Anwaarul Haq Kakar said Afghanistan has a critical role in regional connectivity. Projects such as CASA 100, Trans Afghan railways, TAPI and others are not only merely economic projects, they are also strategic investments in our shared future. He said Pakistan, therefore, looks forward to working closely with other ECO countries towards the shared goal of building a peaceful, prosperous and interconnected Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the ECO trade agreement quota is a landmark preferential trade arrangement. He urged the member countries to sign the quota and thus promote regional trade.
Highlighting the latest development in the investment landscape of Pakistan, he said the government has established a Special Investment Facilitation Council that will serve as single window platform for cooperation in five key sectors including agriculture, defence production, IT, energy and mining. This body has the mandate to give directions to any government institutions and ensure policy continuation and execution.
In 2022, the trade within the ECO region was recorded at $39 billion against $577 billion with the world and the intraregion exports also stood at $46 billion.
We must adhere to ECO Vision 2025.~ Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar while addressing at the 16th Summit… pic.twitter.com/X6z7ZwKmsu
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 9, 2023
Denouncing Israeli atrocities in Gaza, the Prime Minister said this issue needs to be addressed in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He urged the ECO member countries to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, support the call for provision of humanitarian assistance and rally efforts to hold Israel to account.
Highlighting the Indian atrocities in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Anwaarul Haq Kakar said Pakistan continues to rely on its fraternal ECO countries to support the exercise of right to self-determination by the people of Kashmir in the light of relevant UNSC resolutions.
Caretaker PM, Azerbaijan’s President discuss bilateral ties
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar held a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Thursday and reviewed the progress in bilateral relations especially in the domain of trade, defence and energy.
The Prime Minister welcomed the announcement of direct flight operations of Azerbaijan Airline (AZAL) to Pakistan terming it a positive development in people to-people exchanges and to advance two-way business and tourism.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar held a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of 16th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral… pic.twitter.com/r8K94rCCAV
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 9, 2023
Anwaarul Haq Kakar and President Aliyev discussed common challenges including Islamophobia and climate change and the critical role of ECO to promote regional cooperation and collective prosperity.
نگران وزیراعظم انوارالحق کاکڑ سے آذربائیجان کے صدر الہام علیئیف کی ملاقات۔
دونوں رہنماؤں نے دوطرفہ تعلقات، تجارت، دفاع اور توانائی کے شعبے میں حالیہ پیش رفت کا جائزہ لیا۔
نگران وزیر اعظم نے آذربائیجان ایئر لائن (AZAL) کے پاکستان کے لیے براہ راست فلائٹ آپریشن کے اعلان کا… pic.twitter.com/V2cb9rGzMB
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 9, 2023
Global and regional developments including the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and persistent Indian atrocities in Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) were also discussed. Prime Minister Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, especially with respect to Karabagh.
