Uzbek Ambassador visits APP, discuss bilateral media cooperation

ISLAMABAD, DEC 19 (APP/DNA):Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan,  Alisher Tukhtayev on Thursday visited Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and discussed bilateral media cooperation and sharing of mutual institutional experiences with Managing Director,APP Muhammad Asim Khachi.

During the meeting , it was also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the official news agencies of the two countries, APP and  Uzbekistan National News Agency (UZA).

The Uzbek Ambassador said that the role of media for mutual information sharing is very significant in the relation of both sides and there is a need to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in this regard.

The Uzbek Ambassador said that there are vast possibilities for mutual news sharing and information exchange between the Uzbek official news agency, UZA and APP and there is a need to finalize the process of signing of the MoU.

He said that there should be an exchange of dxelegations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan at the media level and there is a need for the media houses of both countries to come closer to each other.

The envoy said that the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad is providing simple and easy visa facilities and in addition, direct air flights have recently started between the two countries, which huge steps need to be highlighted in the media.

Meanwhile, speaking about direct flight operation started between both the countries, he said that direct flights between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has resumed in last November, 2024 and it connected major cities of both of the countries, Tashkent and Lahore, aimed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries and taking trade and economic relations to a new level, and facilitate travel.

The Ambassador said this decision has not only facilitated easier travel between both of the nations, but will also create new opportunities for traveling and tourism industry besides people-to-people connections.

Alisher Tukhtayev said that Uzbekistan has a rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage that offers immense tourism potential.

“We are welcome to share with our Pakistani friends the common historical heritage, beautiful traditions, and unique tourism opportunities.”

He said that transport links between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are of strategic significance not only for the two countries, but also for the entire region.

The Governments of Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are actively cooperating in the implementation of joint economic and infrastructure projects and one of them is the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway.

The “Termez-Kabul-Peshawar” railway project plays an important role in restoring ties of regional connectivity between Central and South Asia, he added.

In addition, work is underway on a number of joint projects in the development of automobile routes.

The envoy said In particular, the international cooperation project on the development of the multimodal transport corridor                “Belarus – Russia – Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan” is being actively promoted.

Managing Director, AP P Muhammad Asim Khichi said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are tied in historical, religious and cultural relations that have deep roots in history.

He said that Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara are of great importance in Islamic history and our ancestors have been associated with these cities for centuries.

MD, APP said that APP will provide full support for enhancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan at the media level.

Asim said that in my previous visit to Uzbekistan, “we discussed a memorandum of mutual cooperation between the official news agencies of the two countries, which needs to be finalized.”