Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and advancing a shared vision of regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange through concrete initiatives and tangible outcomes. The development came as Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev called on Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad.
Exploring Academic and Economic Collaboration
The two sides explored opportunities for expanding academic collaboration through joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programmes, and specialized capacity-building and training initiatives. They discussed avenues for further strengthening bilateral cooperation in education, trade, economy, transport and communications, agriculture, and livestock development.
They deliberated on the possibility of joint accreditation of degree programmes to strengthen quality assurance mechanisms and enhance the international recognition of academic qualifications. Speaking on educational cooperation, Iqbal highlighted the importance of promoting language learning and academic exchange. He noted that Uzbekistan could serve as an important destination for Pakistani scholars seeking to learn the Russian language.
Commitment to Regional Connectivity
Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing regional connectivity, with a focus on transport and communications infrastructure. They emphasized the need for concrete initiatives that would yield tangible outcomes, benefiting not only the two countries but the broader region.
The meeting underscored the mutual desire to expand trade and economic ties, with both sides expressing optimism about the potential for increased cooperation in agriculture and livestock development. The discussions also touched on the importance of cultural exchange programs to foster people-to-people contacts.
