PM Shehbaz says Afghan soil must not be allowed to be used by militant groups to attack any other country
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Tashkent: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to enhance the trade volume to four billion dollars in the next four years. The understanding came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in Tashkent on Wednesday, which was followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.
During the meeting, they discussed further promotion of mutual cooperation between the two countries, especially trade, tourism, energy, regional ties and cultural ties.
The two leaders agreed to effectively implement the Transit Trade Agreement 2021, the Preferential Trade Agreement 2023, invest in the Special Economic Zones of the two countries and promote cooperation between the business communities of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The two sides reiterated the commitment to implement Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway project for promoting trade and regional connectivity.
During the meeting, they discussed the promotion of tourism between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, especially between Termez, Bukhara, Lahore and Karachi.
Expressing their common views on global and regional affairs, the two leaders emphasized the importance of promoting the role of international organizations, especially the United Nations, in resolving international issues for sustainable development and achieving global peace and security.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of further strengthening the historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He said there is a need to open new avenues to enhance trade and economic cooperation. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to focus on joint projects in the field of regional connectivity.
Shehbaz Sharif described the strong partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan as beneficial for the development and prosperity of both countries and the entire region.
In his remarks, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that mutual cooperation between the two countries is of key importance for stability and development in the region.
Praising the economic stability and development initiatives of the government in Pakistan, the Uzbekistan’s President said that his country is committed to taking trade and economic partnership with Pakistan to new heights.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have signed multiple agreements and MOUs to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence, technology, technical training and youth empowerment.
Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov exchanged the documents of agreements in the fields of visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders, military intelligence, internal affairs, professional and technical training and training of diplomats.
Another inter-government agreement was signed between both sides to collaborate in the fields of scientific research, technology, and innovation. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Khodjayev Jamshid exchanged the documents.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Director General of the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan Kuchimov Abdusaid exchanged a document of news cooperation agreement between the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and National Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UZA).
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Mayor of Tashkent Shavkat Umurzakov Buranovich exchanged the documents of an MoU between Lahore and Tashkent. Another MoU was also signed to establish the twin-city relations between Lahore and Bukhara.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Director Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan Sa’dullayev Alisher exchanged documents of MoU between Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and the Government of Uzbekistan on youth affairs.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a joint declaration. A protocol was also signed on the establishment of Pakistan-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Council.
