PM, Uzbek president to discuss Trans-Afghan railway project at virtual summit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, trade, economic, security, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges during a virtual summit tomorrow.

The two leaders had earlier met on the sidelines of 19th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of SCO Member States in Bishkek on June 13-14 ,2019 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing on April 26-27 2019.

During the virtual summit, the PM and Uzbek president would focus on enhancing political and strategic linkages, fast tracking transit and trade cooperation, and building educational and cultural collaboration.

The Trans-Afghan Railway Project, agreed between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan earlier this year, will be a key area of focus. “Relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan are rooted deep in common faith, shared history, and cultural affinities — providing a firm foundation for increased cooperation,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“The two countries have increased interaction at all levels over the past two years. The Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan visited Islamabad on 9-10 March 2021 to hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. During the visit, he also met the Prime Minister and delivered an invitation to attend the Central Asia South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference, to be hosted by Uzbekistan in Tashkent in July 2021.”