Pakistan is building multiple corridors for cooperation in energy, trade and transportation sectors, which would create opportunities for the entire region including Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said. Talking to Uzbek Minister for Water and Agriculture S. Ismoilov, he said trade and economic linkages being built by Pakistan would contribute towards peace, stability and prosperity in the region, according to an official statement. He said Pakistan valued its relationship with Uzbekistan, which was based on commonality of faith, history and culture. He emphasized that the two countries needed to take full advantage of their geographic proximity to enhance cooperation in energy, banking and agricultural sector. Also, Joint Ministerial Commission which has concluded in Islamabad today offers an excellent platform for this purpose, he added. Aziz said energy demands in Pakistan were growing rapidly as a result of the high growth achieved during the last few years and achieving energy, water and food security was a major priority of the government. Ismoilov said Uzbekistan was proud of its multifaceted relationship with Pakistan, which based on a common faith, culture, history and shared values. He said Uzbekistan was keen to strengthen its trade and economic ties with Pakistan and added that the decisions arrived at the Joint Ministerial Commission held in Islamabad will strengthen the economic relations between the two countries. Ismoilov said the government and people of Uzbekistan were looking forward to the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Uzbekistan which would give a new impetus to relations between the two countries. He said Uzbekistan had resumed Tashkent-Lahore-Tashkent flights and was also considering to initiate Tashkent-Karachi-Tashkent flights as well.
