On Thursday, March 3, 2022, the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement (AUPTT) became operational. The clearance of the first-ever transit commerce shipment to Uzbekistan made history.
President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev is now in Pakistan on a two-day state visit at Prime Minister Imran Khan’s request.
The Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement (AUPTT) has been operationalised & history made on 3rd March 2022 by clearance of the first-ever transit trade consignment to Uzbekistan. The maiden transit shipment is being moved by Pyramid Logistics of Pakistan,…1/2 pic.twitter.com/xKr9ZZKfN6
— Ministry of Commerce (MOC) (@mincompk) March 4, 2022
Both countries agreed on Thursday to develop and expand their strategic collaboration in all sectors and to sign a strategic partnership treaty.
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Uzbekistan’s president’s visit has been hailed as a success
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.
During a joint press conference with the visiting dignitary, Imran stated that the two countries had decided to strengthen bilateral connections by encouraging pilgrimage tourism and cultural exchanges, as well as resurrecting the longstanding cooperative partnership.
The bilateral connections were covered during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s one-on-one meeting with President Mirziyoyev, as well as their delegation-level talks, which included topics including the current situation in Afghanistan and Islamophobia.
At the joint press stakeout, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the increasing volume of bilateral trade and interaction between the two business communities. Imran said that bilateral trade had increased by 50% last year and the joint ventures had increased five-fold.
“Both sides have agreed to reinvigorate the [bilateral] relationship not only by enhancing trade but also through cultural linkages,” the prime minister told reporters. “Both countries have a shared culture and history.”
The prime minister also apprised the visiting dignitary of Pakistan’s stance on the unabated human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), urging the international community to play its role in the enforcement of the multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
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While discussing Islamophobia, the two leaders agreed that any desecration of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) could not be allowed in the name of freedom of speech. Imran appreciated the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, opposing the desecration of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on the pretext of the freedom of speech.