Islamabad (Web Desk): In a landmark gesture of friendship, President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday presented the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the nation’s most prestigious civilian award, to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, recognizing his pivotal role in fostering closer ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The award ceremony took place at Aiwan-e-Sadr, graced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal cabinet members, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, diplomats, parliamentarians, and other dignitaries. The formal proceedings were followed by a state banquet honoring the visiting Uzbek president.
Before the ceremony, President Zardari and President Mirziyoyev held a bilateral meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
During the discussions, President Zardari stressed the importance Pakistan places on its enduring and brotherly relationship with Uzbekistan, describing it as rooted in shared history, culture, and faith. He expressed the country’s commitment to enhancing ties through stronger connectivity, trade, and closer interactions between their peoples.
President Zardari praised President Mirziyoyev as a visionary leader whose reforms have transformed Uzbekistan into a modern and prosperous nation, highlighting his contributions to regional stability and international peace.
He also credited Mirziyoyev personally for bringing the two countries closer, describing Pakistan and Uzbekistan as natural partners with interconnected futures.
The Pakistani president reaffirmed his country’s dedication to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, connectivity, defense, security, culture, and heritage.
He pointed to the benefits of direct air links between the two nations in fostering closer people-to-people connections and underscored the importance of regional projects, such as the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway, while calling for joint efforts to resolve outstanding challenges.
Highlighting the steady growth in bilateral trade, President Zardari urged both sides to unlock the full economic potential of the partnership, aiming for the agreed trade target of $2 billion.
He emphasized expanding tourism, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contact, and stressed greater collaboration between financial institutions to support trade and investment.
President Mirziyoyev, in response, reiterated Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening friendship and strategic ties with Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral interactions, citing expanded trade, increased joint ventures, and ongoing cooperation in priority sectors of the economy.
He instructed his ministers to coordinate closely with their Pakistani counterparts to further these initiatives.
The Uzbek president also emphasized the need to broaden practical cooperation through enhanced political dialogue, stronger economic and investment connections, and more active business exchanges.
He invited President Zardari to make an official visit to Uzbekistan. To further support tourism, business, and people-to-people contacts, Mirziyoyev announced that two additional direct flights would be introduced between the two countries, raising the total weekly flights to six.