President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday welcomed an invitation from Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and underscored the importance of building on the outcomes of Mirziyoyev’s recent state visit to Pakistan.
During a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari received Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, who conveyed a letter from the Uzbek leader. The letter expressed gratitude to President Zardari, the Pakistani government, and the people for their warm hospitality, and for conferring the Nishan-e-Pakistan, an honorary professorship, and a doctorate.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with Uzbekistan in key sectors, including agriculture, food, mining, information technology, tourism, health, and banking. He welcomed Uzbekistan’s interest in importing halal meat, fruits, and potatoes, describing it as a step to boost bilateral trade.
The President accepted Mirziyoyev’s invitation to visit Uzbekistan and instructed relevant authorities to coordinate with their Uzbek counterparts to finalise the visit later this year.
Zardari also thanked the Uzbek leadership for its message of solidarity following the recent terrorist attack in Islamabad and reiterated both nations’ commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development.
Additionally, Ambassador Tukhtaev informed the Pakistani President about Uzbekistan’s plan to develop Babar Park in Islamabad’s F-7 sector, adding that a concerned Uzbek minister will visit Pakistan next week to discuss project details with authorities.
