TASHKENT (Uzbekistan), July 16 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday joined other regional leaders at a conference held in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent, aimed at strengthening close ties among the Central and South Asian countries in the interest of their people.
The Plenary session of the conference titled ‘Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity, challenges and opportunities’ held at Congress Centre, was attended by President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, the foreign ministers and high representatives of the countries of Central and South Asia, and the heads of international and regional organizations and global financial institutions.
The main objective of the forum is to strengthen historically close and friendly ties, trust and good-neighborliness between the states of Central and South Asia in the interests of all peoples and countries of both regions.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will present Pakistan’s stance on the importance of peace and security for the development and prosperity of the region.
During the ongoing plenary and the later breakout sessions, the forum participants will discuss the possibilities of promoting initiatives aimed at developing trade, economic, transport, communication and cultural and humanitarian cooperation in the context of further deepening regional connectivity.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said to ensure development of the region, regional connectivity was of utmost importance.
PM’s Special Assistant on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf said Pakistan was moving from its geo-strategic to geo-economic position with an objective to ensure region’s prosperity.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the conference was being attended by 60 countries and would have a far-reaching impact on regional connectivity. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan in his talks with the Uzbek leadership proposed that a rail and road link be established between Tashkent and Gawadar.
