Uzbek envoy calls for promoting regional integration

PESHAWAR: Uzbekistan Ambassador Furqat Sidikov has called upon academicians and policymakers to enhance deep-rooted mutual cultural, historical and economic relationships between the two countries to promote regional integration and development.

He was speaking at an interactive session at the Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar, on Wednesday, which was aimed at promoting regional stability and cooperation. A number of academicians and civil society representatives besides members of Centre for Global and Strategic Studies Islamabad were present on the occasion.

The Uzbek envoy showed a keen interest in the promotion of educational links and pursuits of students-cum-scholars of both the countries. He informed the participants that Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) to establish 21 joint ventures during 2018.

The Uzbek envoy maintained that 700 km railway link if completed between Pakistan and Uzbekistan through Afghanistan would revolutionarise the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Uzbek ambassador said that six Pakistani Urdu dramas were being televised in Uzbekistan.

He said 10 Pakistani journalists toured his country so the move would be reciprocated by inviting Uzbek journalists to Pakistan. He expected that journalist organisations would apply for accreditations to work in Uzbekistan. The ambassador added that military exercises were already taking place between the two countries.

In his welcome address, Area Study Centre Director Prof Dr Shabbir Ahmad Khan called upon the Uzbekistan Embassy to take advantage of the centre s expertise in promoting academic and educational cooperation between the two countries.

He urged Uzbek delegation to renew two MoUs of Area Study Centre with Centre of Political Studies, Tashkent and Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies as it would help extend two training programmes for Institute of Finance, Tashkent and Ministry of Construction.