NHT Report
First time in the history of bilateral relations of Pakistan-Uzbekistan at Think Tanks level a trilateral international video conference was held among prestigious institutes “The Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad”, “the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS) under the president of the republic of Uzbekistan, The Center for Information and Analytical International Relations, Uzbekistan and The Center for Economic Research and Reform under the Administration of the President of the Uzbekistan on an important topic ” Pakistan-Uzbekistan Bilateral relations: A Look at Foreign Policy” was held.
It was attended by representatives of all the participating thinks tanks of both side along with a large numbers of regional experts, scholars, former ambassadors, researchers, students and last but not least media persons.
Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery, President of the Center for South Asia & International Studies of Pakistan in his welcome speech appreciated the positive, productive and participatory role of the Uzbek ISRS and other prominent institutes for the further strengthening of bilateral relations through holding of series of interactive a meaningful conference. General Jaffery termed the topic of conference interesting and timely for the mutual better understanding and formation of corridor of knowledge, research, publication and last but not least exchange of scholars/researchers.
The President of CSAIS shared the commonalities of both countries in terms of rich culture, splendid civilization, human wisdom and of course regional connectivity through Mughals, saints and Sufis. He labeled trilateral railway project of Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan as fate and game changers for the entire region and beyond.
While Usmanov Bobur Masudovich, Deputy Director of the ISRS under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in his welcome address highly appreciated the positive role of the Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS) for making bridges of mutual trust, cultural cooperation and cooperation in diverse sectors of economy, investments, people-to-people diplomacy and above all close liaison between the intellect communities of both countries.
Bobur the Deputy Director, ISRS especially mentioned the importance of strategic partnership of both the countries which would definitely change the dynamics of transport system, regional connectivity, energy & food security, FDIs, joint ventures, tourism, education and culture cooperation in the days to come.
In first session of the conference titled “Uzbekistan-Pakistan: Common Security Challenges and Threats: Prospects for cooperation” Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Director of the Center for South Asian & International Studies of Pakistan delivered a keynote speech on the topic of Pak-Uzbekistan Bilateral Cooperation: Prospects & Constrains in terms of security, terrorism and economic cooperation” and tried to remove all speculations of any change in the foreign policy of Pakistan towards the Central Asia Region and especially towards the Republic of Uzbekistan after current political change in Pakistan.
Dr Khan the regional expert maintained that “our foreign policy is not “person centric” rather it has been state’s constant resolve and commitment achieving sustainable bilateral and trilateral relations with all the states of Central Asia Region especially with Uzbekistan” and termed that Pakistan’s foreign policy did not believe in sudden “U turns” and zigzag orientations. Although rapidly changing socio-economic, geopolitical and geostrategic scenarios demand rational change accordingly.
He further upheld that Uzbekistan has been center of our immense importance to Pakistan as it could serve as a gateway to Central Asia and beyond due to its ideal geographical location. He elaborated that Pakistan has been maintained permanent resolve to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan through enhanced interaction through immense socio-economic integration, greater regional connectivity and further strengthening of bilateral relations in diverse sectors of economy, FDIs, joint ventures, special economic free zones, trade & commerce, integrated transport systems, food & energy security, renewables, pharmaceutical, agriculture cooperation, science & technology, banking & finance cooperation and last but not least, culture cooperation with Uzbekistan.
The Director CSAIS, Dr Khan shared that Uzbekistan is the leading trading partner of Pakistan in the Central Asia and extending cooperation in diverse sectors would further boost economic activity for mutual benefit of both the countries. Time and again the government of Pakistan invited Uzbekistan to join economic activity generated through CPEC.
Moreover, during the last 17 years the exports of Pakistan to Uzbekistan have increased at an annualized rate of 15.2 percent, from $3.3M in 2003 to $36.5M in 2020 which is still on the rise. Hopefully, PTA will increase the trade further,” because now agreements are being signed between the provinces and cities of Pakistan and Uzbekistan for mutual cooperation, he added.
He pinpointed that lack of banking & finance cooperation, absence of direct air link, uncertainty in Afghanistan, lack of proper information, unrealized potential of PTA and last but not least, delaying of FTA are the main impediments in the further strengthening of bilateral relations in terms of high trade volumes, FDIs, joint ventures and food cooperation between two countries.
He reassured that Pakistan in its foreign policy strategy attaches great importance to Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side also considers Pakistan a gateway to South Asia, Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions through its seaports at Gwadar and Karachi. Thus BRI and CPEC would be bench mark for further strengthening of bilateral trade and connectivity between two countries he further added.
He highly appreciated that during recent times, due to immense constant and constructive political dialogue at the highest level and Ten Commandments of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the trustworthy bilateral relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has now been converted into a “Strategic Partnership” with having PTA and inching towards FTA.
Moreover, “the sustainable bilateral relations between two countries have been acting as “strategic cushion” and “deterrence” against terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and weapons, organized crime and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, promoting mutually beneficial economic ties, partnership in social, cultural and humanitarian spheres” Dr Khan explained.
Dr Khan concluded that both countries should joint work for achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan, and prepare a comprehensive policy to fight against terrorism, extremism, separatism, human & drugs trafficking and economic terror financing. He suggested that The Regional Anti-terrorist Structure (RATS) a proposal of Uzbekistan should be replicated in bilateral relations too.
He concluded that trilateral railways projects among three countries should be completed as soon as possible.
Yunusova Zilola, Head of department of the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations of Uzbekistan delivered a comprehensive speech on the given topic of Prospects & Problems of Pakistan-Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations” and shared vast canvas of mutual cooperation in terms of economic ties, trade cooperation and political consultations.
Ms Zilola pinpointed that IT, banking & finance, aviation, insurance, food, energy, energy, textile, garments, sport goods and science & technology have greater potential for further strengthening of bilateral relations between two sides. She urged that both sides should work on clubbing of BRI & CPEC for the betterment of two countries and business communities in the days to come.
Ms Zilola clearly mentioned geographical complexities, lack of proper transit trade mechanism, lack of air link, instability in Afghanistan, ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, and lack of greater regional connectivity were the main reasons of low trading relations between two countries.
Ms Zilola suggested that simplification of visa, further strengthening of bilateral relations in SCO platform, direct air link, promotion of cluster and TIR trading patterns, close liaison with business communities, private sectors, media, IT, think tanks and last but not least corridor of human wisdom, and knowledge would be value addition for further strengthening of bilateral relations.
The 2nd session was entitled “Development of Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation in ensuring food security and its prospects” in which Romanov Edvard, Chief research fellow of the Center for Economic Research and Reform under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Brig Akhtar Nawaz, Senior Member of Board of Director, The Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS), Islamabad delivered very comprehensive speeches highlighting prospects and constrains of greater regional connectivity between two brotherly countries.
In his speech Edvard the Chief research fellow specifically highlighted the strategic importance of food & energy cooperation by sharing lots of statistical data of food production of Uzbekistan. Edvard also mentioned Uzbekistan 2020-2030 National Policy of Agriculture Development and urged the need to have close cooperation in agriculture sector in terms of joint cultivation in sugarcane, rice, potatoes, bananas, fruits, fisheries, hybrid crops, non-traditional items through various possible means of transportation systems by even involving the respective private sectors of both sides. In this regard, the Chief Researcher suggested that both countries should expedite the trilateral railways project as soon as possible.
On his part, Brig Akhtar Nawaz, Senior Member of Board of Director delivered very important speech titled “Pakistan-Uzbekistan Development of Regional Connectivity, Past, Present and Future” and termed Connectivity, inter-regional as well as intra-regional, a prerequisite for prosperity. Brig Nawaz shared that historic importance of connectivity between Pakistan, Uzbekistan, entire Central Asia and Eurasia which has been there since ages because it was needed, is needed and shall remain THE NEED for all times to come”.
Brig Nawaz appreciated President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan momentous step to emphasise this extremely important subject of Regional Connectivity by organising a conference on the subject in the beautiful and historic city of Tashkent on July 15-16, 2021
He elaborated Pakistan’s stance of greater regional connectivity 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
He briefed that 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 the end Brig Nawaz suggested that railway Line Project should be accorded due priority, 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.
The last session entitled “Uzbek-Pakistani Relations: Development of Regional Connectivity” highlighted different means, prospects and constraints of achieving greater regional connectivity between two countries. Dr Shahid Hashmat, Former Ambassador elaborated “Pakistan-Uzbekistan Relations and Myths and Realities of Regional Connectivity”.
Dr Hashmat shared that Pakistan and Uzbekistan have cherished brotherly religious, cultural and historical heritage for many centuries. Names of Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Termez, Khiva and Farghana are very common to most Pakistanis. Since their creation and independence, both countries have enjoyed extremely cordial bilateral relations”. Dr Hashmat termed connectivity as a living reality and not the myth which vividly reflected multiple layers of Connectivity that reflect our historical bonds, religious affiliations, and relations pertaining to commerce and trade.
He further added that in ancient times, the Silk Roads were the main source of connectivity. In the words of Peter Frankopan, the author of “Silk Roads”, the villages connected to towns, towns to the cities, and cities to Silk Roads. This is how a regional network of connectivity was established. Uzbekistan and its cities have always remained main commercial hub for trade between Central and South Asia, of course through the land that is now Pakistan.
He concluded that both sides must strengthening their cooperation in the UN, the OIC, ECO and SCO, extend cooperation among universities and research institutes. Pakistan should offer 200 -300 free scholarships, each year, to Uzbek students on the similar lines as offered to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Trade volume speaks of P2P and B2P contacts. Need not to say that the real potential of bilateral trade is much higher than it is at present. Correct implementation of TTA and finalization of PTA and FTA will facilitate to increase our trade manifold. d. CPEC will open new vistas of connectivity, facilitating multifaceted cooperation.
It would provide access to Uzbek products to Gulf, States, and Africa and to Europe, as well, through Mediterranean. Therefore, Connectivity can be enhanced through realizing dreams of highways, railways, fiber optics and construction of SEZs. The Trans-Afghan Railway Line Project, connecting Termez, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul and Peshawar, as an extension of CPEC, would transform the geo-economic dynamics of the Central Asian Region. The air flights from different cities in Pakistan to Uzbekistan should also restarted and be increase to facilitate P2P contacts. f. Both countries must review and relax their Visa Policy to include 90 Days Visa on arrival.
On his part, Kamolov Sarvar, Chief research fellow of the ISRS under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan talked about prospects of greater regional connectivity through achieving greater cultural and tourism cooperation. He pinpointed that early signing of FTA, incorporation of direct air links, TIR, Cluster trade system through integrated transport system, proper utilization of Gwadar and Karachi ports, custom incentives, functionality of trilateral transit trade agreement among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, stability in Afghanistan and last but not least, optimal utility of strategic partnership is the need of hour.
In this closing remarks Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery, President of the Center for South Asia & International Studies of Pakistan termed today international conference was a great success in terms of new and innovative ideas and prospects of further strengthening of bilateral relations. General Jaffery suggested the formation of corridor of knowledge between two countries in which the CSAIS, Islamabad would play a leading role in the days to come.
He suggested that Pakistani universities should explore prospects of opening campuses in Uzbekistan which would be value addition in the bilateral relations of both countries. He also suggested that potential of joint agriculture cooperation in terms of cultivation, hybrid cropping, water conservation, climate change, biodiversity, energy cooperation (green renewables) and infrastructural development should be pursued as soon as possible.
Usmanov Bobur Masudovich, Deputy Director of the ISRS under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan desired to hold regular conferences with CSAIS which would foster better understanding, promote people-to-people diplomacy, explore different avenues of business, investment and joint ventures between two countries. He concluded that both countries must joint cooperate to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan which is the gateway for greater regional connectivity and immense socio-economic integration.
It was moderated by Kadirov Alisher Kadirovich, Head of the department of ISRS under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
