Gilani for regional cooperation to counter terrorism, extremism
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday called for closer regional cooperation to counter the threats of terrorism, extremism, militancy, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.Addressing a banquet in his honour by Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Gilani said, “We are living in troubled times.” He pointed that these serious issues had diverted significant portion of resources from development to countering these menaces.“These problems can only be faced effectively through mutual cooperation and concerted efforts.”He said the two countries need to cooperate and coordinate their efforts at SCO, ECO, OIC and the United Nations.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was engaged in a campaign against terrorism at tremendous human and material cost. The acts of sacrifice by the valiant security forces of Pakistan and its people in the war against terror are well-known to the international community, he added.
He said the three decades old conflict in Afghanistan has had a destabilizing effect on the entire region.
He said Pakistan was keen to see stability and peace restored in that country as early as possible as it suffered the most on account of the situation in Afghanistan.
“We support President Karzai’s efforts to bring about stability and peace in Afghanistan and were working together with the international community to achieve this objective.”
He said as an immediate neighbour of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan can play an important role in this context.
He said it was Pakistan’s sincere desire to open a new chapter in its bilateral relations and to take friendly relations to new heights.
He noted that bilateral interaction between the two countries has maintained its momentum over the years.
“We need to sustain this momentum at all levels,” he said and added “our political relations are anchored on solid foundations.”
Gilani however pointed that the economic and trade relations fall far short of our potential.
“It is about time that we build upon the tremendous reservoir of good will among our people for each others to add substance to our bilateral ties through a sharper focus on trade and economic cooperation.”
He said the government in Pakistan has a vision of establishing Energy, and Infrastructure connectivity with the Central Asian Republics including Uzbekistan.
“We are actively pursuing the establishment of rail and road links with Afghanistan. Their further extension to Uzbekistan will open new vistas of trade and economic as well as people to people interaction,” Gilani added.
He said Pakistan’s ports offer the shortest land route to Uzbekistan for access to the Arabian Sea. The unique geographical locations of Pakistan and Uzbekistan were mutually advantageous for the two countries.
He expressed his pleasure to visit Uzbekistan with whom Pakistan enjoys close fraternal relations and expressed gratitude for the warm reception and overwhelming hospitality extended.
Gilani said Pakistan and Uzbekistan were bound by many commonalities of history, faith and culture spanning over centuries and pointed that many Pakistanis were proud to have their ancestral roots in Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular.
He said Uzbekistan was a land of great personalities like Imam Al Bokhari, Imam Al Tirmizi, Al Khwarzmi, Al Beiruni, Abu Ali Ibne Sena, Amir Taimur, Zaheer Uddin Babur and Alisher Navoi and many other luminaries.
“We in Pakistan derive inspiration from these fountainheads of religious and temporal intellect.”
He said Samarkand and Bukhara were household names in Pakistan. These historical and famous cities along with other places like Tashkent, Khiva and Kokand have had historical and commercial links with places like Gilgit, Chitral, Peshawar, Lahore and Multan in Pakistan.
Gilani noted that both the Urdu and Uzbek languages have nearly 8000 words in common and said it further reinforces linkages between the two countries.
He reiterated the government’s desire to forge closer ties and partnership with Uzbekistan in all spheres to the mutual benefit of our two countries and their peoples.
“Together we have to work for stability, peace and development in the region,” Gilani added.
Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his remarks on the occasion said Pakistan-Uzbekistan talks on security and economic cooperation have set the agenda for future cooperation between the two countries.
He said the two sides discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in all areas, adding, the meetings have advanced our cooperation and would strengthen our historic bonds and friendship.
Minister for Food and Agriculture Israr Ullah Zehri, Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other members of Prime Minister Gilani’s entourage were also present in the banquet.