President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepen cooperation with Uzbekistan across key sectors
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday welcomed an invitation from Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and stressed the need to follow up on the results of the Uzbek leader’s recent state visit to Pakistan, the presidential secretariat said.
The President received Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev in Aiwan-e-Sadr, where the Ambassador presented a letter from President Mirziyoyev. In the letter, Mirziyoyev thanked President Zardari, the government and the people of Pakistan for the hospitality extended during his visit and for awarding the Nishan-e-Pakistan, an honorary professorship and a doctorate.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepen cooperation with Uzbekistan in sectors including food and agriculture, mining, information technology, tourism, health and banking. He welcomed Uzbekistan’s interest in importing halal meat, fruits and potatoes from Pakistan as a step towards strengthening bilateral trade.
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According to the Secretariat, President Mirziyoyev repeated the invitation he conveyed during their tête-à-tête. President Zardari accepted and directed Pakistani authorities to coordinate with Uzbek counterparts to conclude the visit later this year.
The President also expressed gratitude for Mirziyoyev’s message of solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad and reaffirmed the determination of the two countries to continue their joint efforts for peace, stability and development.
Ambassador Tukhtaev informed President Zardari of Uzbekistan’s desire to develop Babar Park in Islamabad’s F-7 sector and said a concerned Uzbek minister would visit Islamabad next week to discuss the project with Pakistani authorities.
