Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
It seems that ancient “Silk Route” between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Pakistan is in its “resurrection”. Civilizational “linkages” are remerging. Historical connections are “reinvented”. Political understandings are getting momentum. Economic preferences are reshaping. Investment prospects are widening. Now Tashkent and Islamabad are getting closer and closer and fairies of true friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect are flying high on the connecting mountains.
Commercial diplomacy is now at its peak and bilateral relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Pakistan are strengthening day by day. Moreover, changing “end game” in the region has encouraged all the regional countries especially, Uzbekistan and Pakistan to immediately consolidate their relations in diverse fields of economy, trade & commerce, FDIs, JVCs, energy and agriculture to pursue peaceful means to achieve desired goals of peace, harmony, stability, prosperity, connectivity and above all sustainable economic development.
Economic reunion promotes spirits of connectivity and beneficial propositions between the two countries. Now trade & commerce activities, signing of meaningful commercial MOUs, prospects of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), protocols of trans-regional railways connectivity, easy and smooth access to hot waters (seaports), joint ventures in textiles, pharmaceutical, agriculture, automobile, energy and infrastructure development have given new imputes to Uzbekistan-Pakistan bilateral relations.
Uzbekistan’s “Reconnect” with South Asia is heavily dependent on Pakistan which offers the shortest routes. It has various seaports to connect Uzbekistan not only with South Asia but also with Middle East Region.
Most recently, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dr. Abdulaziz Kamilov paid personal visit to Pakistan and met Prime Minister Imran. While meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan Uzbek foreign Minister Kamilov conveyed cordial greetings of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and reiterated Uzbekistan’s commitment to expand bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in diverse fields.
On his part, Prime Minister Imran Khan fondly recalled his interactions with President Mirziyoyev in Beijing and Bishkek and reiterated his invitation to the Uzbek President to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.
Pakistan Prime Minister Khan highly projected the importance of historic and civilizational links between the two countries. He highly valued its close fraternal ties with Uzbekistan and wished to deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas.
By emphasizing importance of economic development and enhanced bilateral trade he termed regional connectivity as the cornerstones of economic growth and development. He underlined Pakistan’s resolve to forge closer ties with Central Asia, covering trade, investments, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Moreover, the Prime Minister appreciated the proposed Trans-Afghan railway project between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He showed Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts for the earliest realization of this important connectivity project.
While showcasing the strategic geographic importance of Pakistan which offers the shortest route the Prime Minister offered the international seas to all Central Asian Republics through Karachi and Gwadar ports and could be the gateway to landlocked Central Asia. He reaffirmed the resolve to facilitate Uzbekistan’s access to Pakistani sea-ports.
Interestingly, the government of Uzbekistan has discarded its intentions to connect Asia through Iranian soil which is indeed a good omen for further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and moreover, Uzbekistan is one of the important countries of One Belt & One Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC is the flagship project. Thus commercial convenience and convergence is there to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the meeting with prime minister Foreign Minister Dr. Kamilov also handed over a letter from President Mirziyoyev addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, inviting him to participate in a Central Asia-South Asia Connectivity Conference in Tashkent in July 2021. The Prime Minister thanked for the invitation and mentioned that he was looking forward to visiting Uzbekistan.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government steadfast support to the Afghan peace process, stressing the imperative of negotiated political solution. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the Afghan sides will seize this historic opportunity to work together constructively and secure an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive negotiated political settlement.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi also held delegation level talks with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Dr. Abdulaziz Kamilov which were very effective, productive and positive in its multilayered orientations. Views were exchanged on enhancement of economic cooperation, mutual support in international fora, regional connectivity and tourism promotion.
Foreign Minister Kamilov extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Qureshi to participate in the Central Asia- South Asia Connectivity Conference to be held in Tashkent in July 2021.
During the meeting, both sides expressed their firm resolve to boost high-level interactions to give impetus to the existing positive momentum in bilateral relations. It was agreed to maximally utilize the existing institutional mechanisms by regularly convening sessions of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPCS) and Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in advancing rail connectivity between the two countries and agreed on early completion of Trans-Afghan railway project.
Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized the importance of direct air connectivity to further trade and tourism. He also stressed facilitation of visas for businessmen and tourists. Here it is worth mentioning that Uzbekistan government is already working upon it. According to reliable resources, PIA is going to start its direct flights to Tashkent which will hopefully play an important role in regional connectivity, speed and scope of bilateral relations in the days to come.
Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need to further strengthen the existing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries through exchange of visits. He welcomed the proposed “Re-connect Silk Route Conference” scheduled for July 2021. The event would help showcase Pakistani exports and products in Central Asia.
He also underscored the importance of closer agricultural cooperation between the two countries particularly in cotton seed sector. Uzbekistan is blessed with natural colored cotton which may be utilized by initiating a joint venture in public-private partnership between the two sides.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries in the multilateral organizations such as the UN, OIC, ECO and SCO.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s positive role for the facilitation of Intra-Afghan Negotiations. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s support to Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process culminating in an inclusive and broad-based political solution. Establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan would contribute to progress on various connectivity initiatives leading to regional prosperity.
Most recently, during various spells of bilateral meetings Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to enhance trade relations, bilateral transit trade agreement, Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), banking and visa issues, and aviation and customs cooperation. Unfortunately, National Bank of Pakistan has recently closed its banking operations in Tashkent due to which potential investors and businessmen are now facing acute problems. It is suggested that banking operations in all the central Asian countries especially, Tashkent may be reopened immediately.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Sardor Umurzakov had various meaningful meetings to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. In order to further deepen the trade ties, both sides also agreed to hold a business conference in Tashkent in July this year.
Pakistan offered cooperation to different stakeholders including customs, maritime affairs, railways and aviation sectors. Uzbekistan and Pakistan held the first meeting of the joint working group on trade and economic issues, as well as a railway project to link the two countries.
In this context, APTAM and Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar visited Uzbekistan and projected real potential of Pakistan and the CPEC for further strengthening of bilateral relations. The delegation of the two countries discussed implementation of the previously reached agreements, as well as the prospects for expanding the Uzbek-Pakistani partnership in the field of investment, trade, industrial cooperation, transport and education. Consequently, various meaningful MOUs have so far been signed between Pakistani private companies and Uzbekistan.
A special attention has now been paying to the practical aspects of the implementation of the project for the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway.
Proposed railway link through Afghanistan will have a strategic importance for further strengthening bilateral economic ties and ensuring sustainable development of the Central Asian region.
Uzbekistan’s national rail company has built and operates a railway line to Mazar-i-Sharif town in Afghanistan, and the project aims to link it to Pakistan opening the country’s sea ports for the Central Asian region.
Economic potential of Uzbekistan is rich. It is the Central Asia’s largest market, comprising almost a half of the population of the region. It is also the geographic pivot and lynchpin of Central Asia, bordering all of the other Central Asian states as well as Afghanistan, and with transit connections in all directions.
Uzbekistan’s President Mirziyoyev’s constant structural reforms has revolutionized Uzbekistan and its role in reconnecting the Central Asia with South Asia has now been further consolidated. Rich in hydrocarbons and mineral resources and possessing a relatively well-educated and low-cost labor force, Uzbekistan has become a leading, economy. Uzbekistan has the great potential to serve as a manufacturing, transport, and technical hub for Central Asia, South Caucasus and the South East Asia.
On its part Pakistan has also certain befitting propositions to connect with Central Asian Region (CAR). Central Asia today is world’s most significant and beneficial region both in geo-strategic and geo-economic terms.
Uzbekistan is centrally located in the heart of Eurasian continent, historically as well as in the modern contemporary world has projected and developed itself as an ideal hub to promote regional trade and communication links. So, tide is slowly but surely changing and a vast ocean of possibilities are there to dive into. Central Asia, with a market of more than 70 million people, offers an array of economic opportunities, resources and trade routes.
Uzbekistan has made a rapid breakthrough in the development and successful implementation of a whole range of industry-specific growth, export-oriented policies, investment & business friendly structural reforms, corruption free governance and society, independent judiciary, transparency and development programs, which have actually revolutionized its economic prospects and business outlook. It has outperformed all the regional economies in terms of GDP, GNP, job generation, foreign currency management, tourism, service sector and above all development of human capital.
Geo-economically, Central Asia is defined as to be “sitting at the crossroads of East and West in which Uzbekistan remains the most populous republic in Central Asia and is geographically central states in Central Asia as well.
Uzbekistan has now emerged as central player in the regional development. It is a neighboring country to Afghanistan and accounts for etensive natural resources including cotton, gold, uranium and natural gas.
Among all the Central Asian Republics it remains the most stable state with well developed capital and social infrastructure. It remains the world’s second largest cotton exporter and fifth largest producer. It also has gas reserves. It also has several operational oil fields.
Pakistan is a gateway to landlocked Central Asia and has invited all Central Asian Republics (CARs) to benefit from the shortest route to international seas. Pakistan desires to forge closer ties with Uzbekistan and other CARs in areas of trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Being prominent regional expert of Uzbekistan I suggest that reciprocal formation of “Uzbek-Pak Trade Houses” may be a right step in right direction. Joint ventures in textiles, garment industry, automobile, agriculture, pharm-industry, medical education, science & technology, tourism, housing, energy and last but not least, automobile may a befitting proposition for both the countries. Formation of joint “Uzbek-Pak Tourism Company” would increase tourism industries in the days to come. Joint “Uzbek-Pak Investment Company” would play a vital role in achieving the desired goals of economic prosperity between the two sides. Joint “Agricultural Company” would be a launching pad for rampant agro-economy, innovation, advanced machinery and hybrid seeds etc. between the two sides.
