Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An Uzbek delegation consisting of experts from the IACMO, CERR, ISMI and MICA is visiting Pakistan these days to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

On 24 February 2022, representatives of research centers of Uzbekistan as part of a delegation from the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, the International Institute of Central Asia, the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations and took part in a round table organized jointly with the Center for Global and Strategic Studies Pakistan in Islamabad.

During the event, experts discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Uzbek-Pakistani relations, issues of the Afghan settlement, as well as strengthening interregional interconnectedness between Central and South Asia.

According to the expert and analytical community of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have been developing rapidly in recent years. Trade and economic, political and trade and economic cooperation has intensified. In 2021, relations reached a qualitatively new level, acquiring a strategic character.

In particular, in the period from 2017 to 2021, the trade turnover between the countries increased 5 times, from US$35.6 million in 2016 to US$181.5 million. The number of enterprises created with the participation of Pakistani capital is increasing. The number of tourists from the Islamic Republic of Iran visiting Uzbekistan has increased.

According to Pakistani analysts, the leaders of the two countries played a special role in strengthening bilateral relations.

Since 2018, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Imran Khan have held 9 meetings in various formats, which contributed to the active promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation in priority areas.

Pakistani experts noted that thanks to Sh. Mirziyoyev’s proactive policy, a “completely new political atmosphere” has developed in Central Asia, which made it possible in 2021 to come up with a new, larger-scale initiative to bring the two regions closer together – Central and South Asia. 

During the visit, the Uzbek analytical circles also met with the Director of the Center for the Study of Russia, China and Central Asia at the University of Peshawar, Professor Shabir Ahmad Khan.

The Pakistani expert gave a positive assessment of the dynamics of bilateral cooperation, the development of processes in Central Asia, as well as the prospects for strengthening ties between Central and South Asia.

Shabir Ahmad Khan noted that thanks to the new regional course of Uzbekistan under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a favorable political atmosphere has been created in Central Asia, which helps to strengthen mutual trust and establish mutually beneficial cooperation. The processes that have formed in the region open up good opportunities for building up Pakistan’s bilateral and multilateral partnership with the Central Asian countries.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached to work out practical steps for the implementation of joint programs and events, including research work, seminars, conferences, as well as expert meetings with the participation of representatives of Central Asian countries and the Center for the Study of Russia, China and Central Asia at Peshawar University.