Brig.(R) Akhtar Nawaz Janjua
Connectivity, inter-regional as well as intra-regional, is a prerequisite for prosperity. History tells us that connectivity between Pakistan, Uzbekistan, entire Central Asia and Eurasia has been since ages because it was needed, is needed and shall remain THE NEED for all times to come. History also tells us that connectedness leads to interdependence that mitigates conflicts. In some cases, it also creates incentives for the permanent resolution of seemingly intractable disputes.
Currently connectivity between various regions and sub-regions of Asia exclusively gauged on the modern-day connectivity tools does not compare well with other regions of the world. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan took a momentous step to emphasize this extremely important subject of Regional Connectivity by organizing a conference on the subject in the beautiful and historic city of Tashkent on July 15-16, 2021.
Pakistan on its end not only believes in greater connectivity and exchanges in different fields of common interests and actually puts its hand up to provide a great corridor of connectivity and economic activity to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, all Central Asian States, Eurasia, China, SCO countries and world at large via China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative.
There have been many meetings personally and virtually between the leadership of both brotherly countries Pakistan and Uzbekistan where subject of Regional Connectivity was of top priority. It gained a huge momentum by President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Pakistan this year in March marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. The visit provided a huge fillip to bilateral ties, a wide range of issues were deliberated, connectivity being the prime focus and also included subjects like defence and a common fight against Islamophobia.
As regards connectivity Pakistan has already outlined its own “Vision Central Asia”, where it is focusing on regional connectivity with Uzbekistan and other Central Asian States. Pakistan has a big advantage in its contiguous geography with Central Asia … and Uzbekistan lies at the heart of it because the route for Central Asia and Eurasia to the world passes through Pakistan and from Pakistan route to Central Asia, and Eurasia, needs Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
In this regard it is pertinent to note that Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on February 2 2021 have already agreed to a roadmap for the construction of a 573-kilometre route from Mazar-e-Sharif, connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The project when completed will open Pakistani seaports on the Arabian Sea to Uzbekistan and continue Afghanistan’s gradual integration into the Central Asian economic system. This connectivity is expected to bring in up to 20 million tons of cargo transportation annually, for that to happen Afghanistan must have peace only then it could act as a corridor of trade route between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian States. For this to happen Afghanistan will have to lead the way towards peace and Pakistan, Uzbekistan along with other Central Asian States and countries of the regions must facilitate the process any way they can.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have also agreed to develop and expand their strategic collaboration in all sectors and to sign a strategic partnership treaty. It was acknowledged by both countries during the visit of Uzbekistan President that the Trans-Afghan Railway project was the most economical and shortest route connecting Central Asia with Pakistan’s ports of Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim. It was agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of all means of connectivity that is air, rail and road.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have already traded goods via Afghanistan in a landmark first. A Pakistani cargo transported medicine from Karachi to Tashkent, via Kabul, while an Uzbek cargo took a shipment of leather products from Tashkent and arrived at the Afghan-Pakistani border (Torkham crossing), which was then sent to Faisalabad inside Pakistan.
The potential for Pakistan and Uzbekistan is unlimited. bilateral trade has already increased by 50% and the joint ventures have increased five-fold.
For Uzbekistan’s vast resources and search for markets, Pakistan provides the shortest route to the markets in Asia and Africa.
For Pakistan the prospects of the vast markets of Central Asia and Eurasia through short overland routes via Afghanistan would be huge. Pakistan can also benefit greatly from collection of transit fees by allowing transit trade through its territory not just from Uzbekistan but also from neighboring countries in the region through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
Hence it is recommended that :-
-Railway Line Project should be accorded due priority.
-A state of the art multiple lane Motorway from Pakistan via Afghanistan connecting all Central Asian States should also be planned.
-Direct flights by National carriers of both the brotherly countries originating alternatively from international Air Ports of Pakistan and Uzbekistan should be started.
-Pakistan and Uzbekistan share a vast range of historical and cultural heritage, people to people contact is must to renew, update and transition to the new generations.
-Regular Cultural Exchanges be scheduled to include, art, architecture and other different fields of mutual interest.
-There is great scope of cooperation in the agriculture sector which must be explored and made use of.
-Pakistan and Uzbekistan can also cooperate and benefit from each other in the Defence Sector.
I have visited to vehicle manufacturing facility at Samar Qand, conversely Pakistan also has manufacturing plant. Both countries should cooperate in this field too.
-And all other fields.
President Shavkat Mirazyeyev while addressing the Tashkent Conference said , “The revival of ties between Central and South Asia, where about two billion people live today, is an even more demanded and objective process. I think that the time has come, based on the huge historical, scientific, spiritual and cultural heritage of our peoples, the complementarity of economies and the availability of intellectual potential, to consolidate our efforts, which will undoubtedly give a powerful synergy effect,”.
(The article is based on the speech delivered by Brig.(R) Akhtar Nawaz Janjua Sr.Vice President/Executive Director Centre for South Asia & International Studies, Islamabad at the Webinar arranged by CSAIS &ISRS under the President of Uzbekistan )