PM signs letter seeking $4.8b for trilateral rail project
Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project ‘Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar’
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday signed a “Joint Appeal Letter” seeking $4.8 billion loan from various International Financial Institutions (IFIs) for a railway line project connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and the Central Asian Republics.
The premier signed the letter after Uzbekistan’s Minister for Transport Makhkamov Ilkham called on him.
During the meeting, matters relating to bilateral relations, regional connectivity, and peace and security in the region were discussed and the two sides agreed to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project “Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar”.
The prime minister particularly highlighted the importance of joint efforts to promote regional connectivity for economic growth and development of the region.
PM Imran observed that “Pakistani seaports provided a great opportunity to Central Asian States for access to the Indian Ocean.”
The official statement noted that PM Imran “supported Uzbek efforts to secure financing for the project by signing Joint Appeal Letter addressed to the Heads of various International Financial Institutions (IFIs) by Heads of State/Government of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
The premier maintained he had long underlined that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
He highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process and underscored that an inclusive and broad-based political solution would help the establishment of durable peace and stability and contribute to regional connectivity, progress and prosperity.
He observed that Pakistan’s fraternal ties with Uzbekistan were based on common religious, historic and cultural bonds and reaffirmed the commitment to further deepen bilateral cooperation in all spheres.
PM recalled his last meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and stated that Pakistan looked forward to his visit at the earliest convenience.
He also underlined Pakistan’s resolve to forge closer ties with Central Asia, covering trade, investments, energy, and people-to-people contacts.
The Uzbek transport minister conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes of the Uzbek president and noted that President Mirziyoyev was looking forward to visiting Pakistan.
On behalf of President Mirziyoyev, he also reiterated the invitation to the PM to visit Uzbekistan and reaffirmed the desire to have deeper bilateral trade and economic ties as well as enhanced connectivity with Pakistan.
Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati and Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood were present during the meeting.
The Uzbek minister is on a one-day visit to Islamabad to discuss in detail rail and road cooperation from Central Asia to Pakistani seaports.
With the funds raised under the joint appeal, a 573-km long railway link will be constructed. The shortest economic track would run from Peshawar to Kabul and from Kabul to Uzbekistan via Mazar-e-Sharif and the route will have “27 stations, 912 artificial constructions and 7 tunnels” to facilitate cargo movement.
Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to pursue Trans-Afghan railway line project ‘Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar’
tribune.com.pk
Azerbaijan Foreign Minister had a telephone conversation with his Kyrgyz counterpart.
Pakistan is now on its way to the Turkish Academy
Pakistan undoubtedly a very important country for Turkey. Their support for the War of Independence and diplomatic relations that officially started in 1947 have today moved to High Level Strategic Cooperation. However, apart from this importance, Pakistan has started to make its influence felt in the cooperation of the Turkish World. No need to go far. The clear stance they put forward in the Karabakh War is a clear indication of this. I went just before the capture of Shusha in Azerbaijan is also next to the flags of Turkey and Azerbaijan seemed to Pakistan flag. Turkey's fight against terrorism had also demonstrated a similar attitude. In February, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, "currently in Syria to you (to Turkey) attacks are carried out, in this regard Pakistan will be always with you." he said.
The name of the famous street of Ankara, Cinnah Street, comes from a Pakistani Turkish friend, Muhammed Ali Jinnah. It was the 144th anniversary of the birth of Jinnah, also known as "Kaid-i Azam" (the great leader). Cinnah was a great admirer of Atatürk. Years later, for his "Turkey is set to prove that it has the power to make their voices heard in the Muslim world to all nations." he said.
Meanwhile, important events took place in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, last week. One of them was the Farabi Global Forum. Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Arif Alvi of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan stated that he appreciated the activities of the International Turkic Academy, whose headquarters is located in Kazakhstan, and he was grateful for this. Pakistan is also a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and was the term president of this organization in 2011 in Kazakhstan.
An agreement was signed between the International Turkic Academy and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Science and Technological Cooperation Committee (COMSTECH). In this context, an international library will be established in Islamabad. Panels and symposiums will be held to introduce Al-Farabi, Muhammed Iqbal and Ulugh Bey. In addition to these, the thought of Ahmet Yesevi and Maturidi must be a part of this process. Again, within the scope of the cooperation, leading universities of Pakistan will be included in the International Turkic Academy universities network. First, a cooperation memorandum was made with the two biggest universities of Pakistan, Kaid-i Azam University and Karachi Universities. Thus, exchange programs will begin between students, researchers and faculty members. While these developments were taking place, the President of the Academy, Prof.Dr. It was very meaningful that Darhan Hıdırali also met with the Islamabad ambassadors of the member states of the Turkic Council.
We had a meeting with Mr. Darhan about the issue yesterday "Pakistan has historical and cultural ties with the Turkic World. It is necessary to uncover this in the field of education, science and academia and join forces. I noticed something here k; No one has watched Turkish TV series. Life seems to stop while the people I talked to were playing the movie called Diriliş… ”he said.
Now Pakistan is officially on its way to the Turkish Academy. It is important to remember that this will be an important step for further developments. Because in the past, Mongolia and Hungary progressed like this in the Turkic World.
Pakistan şüphesiz Türkiye için çok önemli bir ülke. Kurtuluş savaşına verdikleri destek ve resmi olarak 1947'de başlayan diplomatik ilişkiler bugün Yüksek Düzeyli Stratejik İşbirliği'ne taşınmış durumda. Fakat bu öneminin yanı sıra Pakistan artık Türk Dünyasının işbirliğinde de etkisini...
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