Uzbekistan-Pakistan Regional Connectivity: Political, Economic, Humanitarian, and Academic Aspects
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Islamabad, October 6, 2023 – The NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) organized the keynote address of H.E. Oybek Arif Usmanov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, on “Uzbekistan-Pakistan Regional Connectivity: Political, Economic, Humanitarian, and Academic Aspects” on Friday, October 6, 2023.
During his keynote, Ambassador Usmanov highlighted the historical significance of not only Central Asian-South Asian links but also emphasized the importance of comprehensive Pak-Uzbek relations for common development and regional integration. The ambassador expressed his country’s commitment to promoting Pak-Uzbek connectivity. He hailed Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project as a major vehicle of regional connectivity in the days to come.
He further stressed the potential for the growth of bilateral trade following the signing of the billion-dollar bilateral trade agreement earlier this year.
Ambassador Usmanov said that there is an urgent need to encourage increased contacts and exchanges between young Pakistanis and Uzbeks for a sustainable, long-term bilateral partnership.
The ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for the NUST knowledge ecosystem and identified higher education cooperation and S&T collaboration as a win-win priority area where rapid mutual gains could be made.
Ambassador Usmanov stated that Uzbek cities like Bukhara, Ferghana, Samarkand, and Tashkent are resplendent symbols of the shared Islamic heritage and could attract Pakistani tourists. Similarly, he said that Pakistani cities like Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Quetta are historic cities which could attract Uzbek tourists. He stated that bilateral tourism promotion could generate multiple opportunities for mutual cooperation.
The keynote was attended by senior NUST leadership, faculty, think tank experts, young researchers, and students.