Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to further deepen and expand their strategic partnership in all areas and decided to conclude a treaty on strategic partnership.

This was agreed during the meeting held between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Islamabad.

According to a joint statement, the leaders held comprehensive consultations and considered all aspects of bilateral relations, paying special attention to the development of cooperation in the trade and economic, science and technology, culture, education, security and defense and regional connectivity.

They reaffirmed their commitment to close interaction based on common positions and to continue the practice of mutual support at international and regional forums on all issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders stressed the importance of developing institutionalized cooperation between the two countries within the five main pillars of Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia” political and diplomatic, trade and investment, energy and connectivity, security and defense and people-to-people relations.

The two leaders also agreed on the need to fast track measures to further expand the connectivity agenda and economic integration.

They acknowledged key role of agreed connectivity corridors which envisage expansion of trade links through offering investment opportunities in the transport network, power pipelines and Special Economic Zones in the interests of the two countries.

Both sides reaffirmed the important role of the Termez-Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway project for the future of the region. It was agreed to evolve a joint “Road Map”, which includes measures to develop a feasibility study for the project and start construction work on both sides.

They agreed to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan is essential to advance connectivity agenda which will lead to regional prosperity.

Source: Radio Pakistan