Ambassador of Azerbaijan Ali Alizada thanks Pakistan for support; speakers highlight valiant struggle of Azerbaijani armed forces

Shujaat Hamza/DNA

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Ali Alizada has thanked Pakistan govt and people of Pakistan for whole-heartedly supporting Azerbaijan on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh.

He expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of seminar organized by Measac Research Institute (MRC) on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, military and political resolution in collaboration with the Embassy of Azerbaijan.

Message of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was also screened on the occasion. The Azerbaijan president described events that led to war and how Armenian aggression left Azerbaijan with no option but to go into war to defend its territories.

Ali Alizada praised the organizers and speakers. He talked about the latest provocations, aggression and war crimes of Armenia against Azerbaijan, and the successful peace enforcement operation and victory of Azerbaijan on this conflict.

He thanked Pakistan for the political and moral support extended for the just cause of Azerbaijan. Diplomats and opinion makers applauded this intellectual activity within bounds of COVID -19 environment.

Mohammad Abdullah Hamid Gul Director General Measac Research Centre (MRC) introduced the subject. Seminar was attended by Ambassadors and diplomats of Islamic countries, retired Generals and Brigadiers. Brigadier (R) Abdul Rahman Bilal, analyzed all salient facets. Senator Talha Mahmud covered the humanitarian aspect of the conflict. The country of Azerbaijan liberated its occupied territories from Armenia.

Arsalan Ayaz was the mediator of proceeding who thanked the participants from different walks of life for their active participation and value inputs in the discussion.  On this occasion defense experts including , General ( R) Amjad Shoaib, Gen ( R) Asad Duranj , Maj Gen Shamriaz, Brig (r) Asif Haroon Raja, media analyst Dr. Shahid Masood ,  Dr. Zafar Jaspal, were also present.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 18 (DNA) – “Pakistan and South Africa enjoy excellent and cordial bilateral relations. This partnership has evolved over the years, expanding to include strong people-to-people links and new and exciting opportunities.”

This was stated by Ambassador Mthuthuzeli Madikiza, the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Pakistan during his Web-Talk on ‘South Africa’s Perspective on Evolving Geo-Economic Trends and Pakistan South Africa Economic Ties.’

The event was organized by the Centre for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) today under its Ambassadors’ Platform Series.

Ambassador Madikiza welcomed the establishment of CMEA as a Centre of Excellence within the ISSI and stated that he looked forward to closer cooperation and interactions on issues of mutual interest.

He said stronger ties and increased collaboration between the African Continent and partner countries in the Asian region have been growing steadily over the years. This has also strengthened the notion of progressive internationalism, which entails opposition to the perpetuation of the legacy of global imperialism, colonialism, racism, the dominance of the global North over the South, as well as global structural inequality and poverty.

Talking about South Africa and Pakistan’s bilateral ties, he remarked that both sides enjoy excellent bilateral relations. According to him, one of the top priorities is to expand economic ties as South Africa considers Pakistan an important market for business-to-business cooperation.

Both countries also enjoy considerable cooperation in defence production, with substantial opportunities for a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership. He was of the view that there were several areas for further expansion of economic ties, which includes higher education, science and technology, health, energy, agriculture as well as the minerals sector.

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, expressed that, the present government of Pakistan attaches high priority to economic diplomacy particularly with Africa.

CMEA was created out of this desire by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to have stronger economic and commercial ties with Africa. While praising South Africa as one of the leading economies within the African Continent, Ambassador Chaudhry said that Pakistan envisages a closer cooperation with South Africa in future.

Earlier Ms. Amina Khan, Director Centre for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) in her welcome Remarks stated that Pakistan and South Africa ties are highly valued since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1994. South Africa and Pakistan share several commonalities such their struggle against colonialism and the vision of the late Nelson Mandela. South Africa is one of the top trading partners of Pakistan from the African continent.

Thus, extension and consolidation of trade and economic relations between two countries is pivotal. South Africa considers Pakistan an important market for business cooperation and is keen to further enhance the volume of bilateral trade. Under its ‘Engage Africa Policy,’ Pakistan looks forward to further deepening its political, and economic ties with South Africa.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI, stated that Pakistan has always been at the forefront of independence struggles of African countries, and has facilitated various African Liberation leaders.

He highlighted how the current government of Pakistan is laying special emphasis on building ties with the African continent through its “Engage Africa” policy. He also said that from the African continent opportunities like AFCFTA and Vision 2063 are welcoming developments.

He concluded by saying that both Pakistan and South Africa have great potential to work together for maximum mutual benefits. = DNA

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DNA

PESHAWAR: Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar & Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad jointly organized a Roundtable Discussion on, “Uzbekistan-Pakistan Joint Collaboration for Peace & Stability in Afghanistan” at Peshawar.

The roundtable discussion commenced with the welcome address by Prof. Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, Director, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar. He stated that as immediate neighbors, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are peace holders for Afghanistan and a peaceful Afghanistan is prerequisite for regional stability.

The Chief Guest for the occasion was Lt Colonel Saadullah Tashmatov, Charge d’ affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Pakistan. He highlighted that Uzbekistan and Pakistan can play a major role for building peace and stability in Afghanistan.

 He stated that we have to work on it to diversify economic relations to achieve peace and harmony in the region. He also discussed about the Railway project of Uzbekistan that will connect the three countries which is another big step to enhance connectivity among them. He also emphasized on SCO platform which is important in this regard. Moreover, he appreciated Pakistan rice production which is very famous in Uzbekistan and has huge demand. He also said that trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan should need to be expanded in all sphere, we have huge potential of trade and also have deep cultural ties which is very essential for both countries for further enhancement. He is also told about the translated book, “Zahir-ud-din Babar” and expressed that such initiatives of collaborations and activities must expand further and implemented to the next level.

Ms. Minahil Shawal Afridi, Research Executive, CGSS presented an overview of CGSS cooperation and collaboration with various Think Tanks in Uzbekistan. She highlighted Pakistan Uzbekistan relations, joint collaborations and future prospect between both countries. She discussed institutional cooperation and how it has remained fruitful in enhancing bilateral ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Lt. Col Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, CGSS stated that many initiatives have been put forward and implemented by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for enhancing the stability and prosperity of Uzbekistan’s neighboring countries on important bilateral and regional forums during the recent years. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are immediate neighbors with a common border and have affected each other’s internal development on many occasions in the past. By keeping this regional proximity of both countries in mind, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirzayeyov has devised an excellent far reaching proposal for not only developing and reconstructing the Afghan economy, but to provide the Afghan administration with much needed socio-economic support from important regional countries in Asia as well.

Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan, Head of International Relations Department, University of Peshawar stated that CPEC is one of the easiest way to bring peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan and Uzbekistan are working for a workable solution to win the hearts and mind of the people of Afghanistan through soft diplomacy. The platforms like SCO and ECO must be utilized in this regard,

Other panelists highlighted the importance of promoting regional integration and explained about geographically and culturally close ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. They stressed on the need of strategic and economic partnership for enhanced growth through integration and connectivity. The panelists stated that the exports between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been declined in past years, similarly Afghanistan and Uzbekistan also faced enormous declined in exports. We need to further expand the trade volume between Pakistan and Uzbekistan through collaborations, partnership and joint projects as both countries have great economic potential. The panelists emphasized that Pakistan and Uzbekistan can play a major role in facilitating negotiation between Taliban’s and Afghan Government.

Other panelists of the Discussion included:

• Dr. Ahmad Farhan Saeed, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar
• Dr. Muhammad Ali, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar