Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtayev Presents Credentials to President Zardari
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: In a formal ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr Palace, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtayev, presented his credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari. Following the official ceremony, President Zardari and Ambassador Tukhtayev engaged in discussions centered on the current state and future prospects of cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
During the meeting, President Zardari highlighted the enduring cultural, historical, and spiritual ties that unite the two nations, expressing confidence in these shared values as the bedrock of long-term fraternal relations. He commended Uzbekistan’s robust economic progress and affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral collaboration, particularly in areas of trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. Both sides recognized the significant potential to increase mutual trade volume to a target of $1 billion, underscoring the importance of intensified economic partnerships.
The leaders also discussed steps to advance cultural, humanitarian, and tourism exchanges, which play a key role in strengthening people-to-people connections. President Zardari expressed satisfaction with the easing of the visa process for Pakistani citizens visiting Uzbekistan, seeing it as a welcome initiative to facilitate greater engagement. A notable point of discussion was the anticipated resumption of direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore, scheduled for November, which is expected to boost tourism and fortify cultural linkages.
President Zardari extended his best wishes to Ambassador Tukhtayev in his mission to deepen relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, reiterating his commitment to a productive partnership and the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
