Pakistan, Uzbekistan trade connectivity to open up new avenues of prosperity, says PM

The premier was addressing Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent and expressed satisfaction over the contracts signed by Pakistani business houses with their Uzbek counterparts.

Alluding to the historic, cultural and spiritual connections between the two countries, Imran Khan stressed that Trans-Afghan railway project is of paramount importance for Pakistan and Uzbekistan to improve their trade relationship. 

He said Pakistan is keen to see peace and political settlement in Afghanistan to reap the benefits of connectivity. He also called for more frequent flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Reportedly, the forum was attended by a large number of businessmen from Pakistan and Uzbekistan besides the delegation of prime minister including  Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Minister for Information Technology Atif Khan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan assured the businessmen and traders of Uzbekistan that Pakistan would extend them every possible facilitation in promotion of trade.

“I want to assure the business community of Uzbekistan that this relationship is just the beginning of the journey of development and prosperity,” he said.

“The railway project among Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan would prove to be a revolution of development,” he added.

Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, he said peace in the war-torn country was important to ensure materialization of development projects in Central Asia.

“Pakistan is keen for peace in Afghanistan and considers it vital for trade connectivity among the regional countries,” he said.

“Such trade linkages helped in raising the living standards of the citizens,” he added.