LAHORE: Participants of a round table discussion on ‘Central-South Asia Regional Connectivity: Grand Initiative’ highlighted the importance of regional connectivity and cultural cooperation between central and south Asian countries for the socio-economic development of the region.

The Punjab University Department of History and Pakistan Studies and Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, organised a round table in the new campus.

The discussion was organised in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islamabad, and the Regional Integration Centre.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar said they were offering admissions to the students of Uzbekistan in the university and it would prove to be a milestone in Pak-Uzbek bilateral ties.

CGSS Vice President (Punjab Region) retired Brig Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said Pakistan was situated at the convergence of three geo-economically significant regions and it offered the shortest route to the sea for all landlocked countries of Central Asia alongside western China and Afghanistan.

He said the initiative of Central-South Asian connectivity by the president of Uzbekistan has emerged as a significant factor in rejuvenating centuries-old traditional and cultural linkages between both countries.

Republic of Uzbekistan Ambassador to Pakistan Aybek Arif Usmanov discussed Pakistan and Uzbekistan economic cooperation and perspective.

He said Punjab and KP were also well-connected with Uzbekistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Imran Khan were the first drivers and promoters of connectivity.

He said that for more than three years, Pak-Uzbek leaders were working for peace and development in Afghanistan.

He said all countries of the region were interested in using Pakistan as a transit hub in Central Asia and they were working on high technology cooperation with Pakistan.

He said experts from Uzbekistan helped in formulating solutions to enhance cotton production in Pakistan.

CGSS Executive Director Khalid Taimur Akram gave a detailed presentation on “Analyzing the concept of Central- South Asian Connectivity: Ten-point agenda by Shavkat Mirziyoyev”.

He said Central and South Asia, located at the crossroads of the Great Silk Road, promoted active dialogue between peoples and civilizations for many centuries. He said the people of our regions have repeatedly found themselves within the framework of common state formations, as well as a common political, economic and humanitarian space.

He said that the close ties between our people have contributed to rapid intellectual and spiritual progress.

Department of History and Pakistan Studies Chairman Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, Department of Political Science and International Relations Chairperson Prof Dr Iram Khalid and Regional Integration Center Director Dr Fozia Ali Hadi spoke on historical and cultural linkages between central-south Asia, reinvigorating the phenomena of academic cooperation into regionalism and role of SCO in central and south Asia connectivity.

Later, Uzbek Ambassador Aybek Arif Usmanov also called on PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad at his office.

UHE AGENDA: The University of Home Economics (UHE) seventh syndicate meeting on Tuesday approved different agenda items.

Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz chaired the meeting while UHE Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Amin and other members were also present.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2021