Ambassador lauds CGSS role in enhancing bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, AUG 13: Online Conference on the ‘’ Uzbekistan and Pakistan Partnership: The Perspective for Multidimensional Interaction" organized by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad with the collaboration of the Information and Analytical Centre for International Relations (IACIR), Tashkent, Uzbekistan was held.

Mr. Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Pakistan was the moderator of the online conference.

Aybek A. Usmanov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan gave the welcoming remarks. He welcomed all the participants and speakers to the online conference. He appreciated the efforts of CGSS for being a major stakeholder in enhancing bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Aybek A. Usmanov also discussed the grand initiative of Central and South Asia regional connectivity. He stated that prospects for multilateral cooperation are high in which peace in Afghanistan is an important factor.

Furqat A. Sidikov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Republic of Uzbekistan shared his views on bilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan amid current Afghanistan’s situation. He stated that the Afghanistan situation has direct spill-over impacts on Pakistan and Uzbekistan being neighboring countries. Therefore, regional countries must cooperate to find the solution of Afghanistan crisis. 

Furqat A. Sidikov also highlighted the trade and economic turn over between Uzbekistan and Pakistan that has been increasing since last 3 to 4 years. He suggestedthat it is significant to promote peace and stability in the region for enhanced economic trade and get access to Pakistan’s Gwadar port which is crucial for economic connectivity for CARs.

Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd), President, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad shared his expert analysis that cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan is interlinked with Afghanistan. He discussed in detail about the recent situation of Afghanistan. 

While enlightening the audience, Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) stated that Central and South Asian connectivity is important to enhance economic potentials. In this regard, CARs can benefit from CPEC. He suggested that all regional countries must join hands and move towards economic connectivity for long-term stability and peace in the region.

Lt. General Khalid Naeem Lodhi, HI (M), (Retd), Former Federal Defence Minister of Pakistan expressed his views on Emerging Realities in the International political system: U.S. Policy towards South, Central and West Asia. He stated that geopolitics cannot be separated from geo-economics and geostrategic factors. All these factors are interconnected. He discussed that emerging realities of the world are contested and interlinked. 

For example, China has been trying to enhance its influence through economic ideology and cooperation. Unlike, U.S. who always try to use multiple tools to maintain its dominance and political ideologies over others. Lt. General Khalid Naeem Lodhi, HI (M), (Retd), highlighted major important tools, i.e., economic, strategic and hybrid that the superpowers use to gain their interest. While concluding speech, he suggested that all regional countries must cooperate with each other to find ways to create peaceful and powerful region.

Dr. DonyarQurbanov, Director, Information and Analytical Centre for International Relations (IACIR), Tashkent, Uzbekistan enlightened the audience with his analysis on the ongoing Afghan situation. He stated that Taliban zone has been increasing that will create refuge crisis, and humanitarian issues for the Kabul regime. He suggested that Taliban and Kabul government must reach to a compromise to eradicate existing gap. 

He also stated that there is growing need to increase interactions between Afghanistan’s neighbor. In this regard, a strong policy framework would be an additional force to bring peace to the region.  He also highlighted prospects for enhanced bilateral ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Former Federal Law Minister of Pakistan gave speech on current Situation and Future legal Parameters and options for Pakistan and Uzbekistan.  Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi stated possible ways to enhance cooperation between the two nations, Pakistan and Uzbekistan. In this aspect, he provided options., to implement on the legal existing agreements and MoUs between both countries. 

He discussed that there is a need to take advantage by existing legal bridges and agreements that would open avenues for joint ventures. He suggested that we have to be specific in order to encourage and protect the private business and entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. In this aspect, best plan of action is to enhance connectivity through economic planning.

Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director, Area Study Centre (Russia China & Central Asia), University of Peshawar shared his expert opinion on Implications of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Challenges and Options for Pakistan. He stated that if Afghanistan’s conflict is increased it will have massive spill-over on the neighbouring countries in the form of drug trafficking, violence and refuge crises. He expressed his views that there is a regional consensus to bring peace in Afghanistan. 

Therefore, all regional countries must devise a plan to eradicate issues with the continuity of global assistance. He also stated that there is a need that different ethnic factions and groups in Afghanistan must be engaged through Loya Jirga to create peace and reach towards a consensus.  He highlighted prospects for Central and South Asian regional connectivity in that he also appreciated the recently held international conference on Central-South Asian connectivity hosted by Uzbekistan to have constructive implications on the region. 

At the end of the discussion, an interactive session was also held amongst the participants of the Conference. 

---------------------------------------------------

Japanese envoy greets Pakistan on 75th Independence Day

ISLAMABAD, AUG 13: MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, has congratulated Pakistani people on the occasion of the country’s 75th Independence Day, which is marked on August 14th, and reiterated his resolve to strengthen long-standing friendly relations between our countries.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to express our sincere congratulations to the Government and the people of Pakistan on their 75th Independence Day and best wishes for further peace and prosperity in Pakistan.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recall our long-standing cordial relations and assure you that Japan will work with Pakistan to enhance such relationships, especially next year, which marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries,” said Ambassador MATSUDA.

The Ambassador also referred to the Tokyo Olympic Games, expressing his sincere gratitude to all people concerned and congratulated Pakistani athletes on their notable performance. In his message, the Ambassador welcomed the development of Japan-Pakistan relationships in a wide range of fields including such sports exchange as well as political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges.

In the end, the Ambassador appreciated the Government of Pakistan and all medical workers who have been fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year, mentioning that “Japan has been cooperating with Pakistan to tackle COVID-19 and Japan is fully determined to support the people of Pakistan. I do hope that efforts by the entire world to overcome this challenge will be successful soon.”

=========================

Japan ambassador grieves the loss of precious lives in Quetta blast

ISLAMABAD, AUG 9: MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, on Monday expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the bomb blast which occurred in Quetta on August 8th, leaving two policemen dead and numbers of people injured.

“Any act of terrorism cannot be justified for whatever reason or purpose. Our thoughts and prayers are with the government, the people of Pakistan, and the families of those who have lost their dear ones in the tragic incident. Please accept my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of victims and I pray for the early recovery of those injured in the blast” said the Ambassador in his condolence message.

While appreciating the efforts of Pakistani security forces in maintaining peace and stability, the Ambassador reiterated that Japan is committed to continuing to support the Government of Pakistan and its valiant security forces to combat terrorism.

-------------------------------------------

Japan to offer 70 training programmes for 120 Pakistani trainees in FY2021

ISLAMABAD, AUG 5: The Government of Japan has decided to offer 70 training programmes, which are held in Japan or implemented online for Pakistani nationals every year, as a part of development cooperation for the further development of Pakistan.

The programmes widely cover various sectors from social needs such as education, health, water resources, environment and human development, to industrial needs such as agriculture, energy, transportation and ICT. Governance, disaster risk reduction and gender are also covered.

The number and condition of participants and terms are set according to the target of each course. The programmes for Pakistan have been implemented since 1957 and approximately 6,000 Pakistani people participanted during long history.

The programmes are implemented by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), thanks to the support by Japanese ministries, municipalities, universities and relevant organizations. Under the restriction on overseas travel by the COVID-19 pandemic, JICA is utilising alternative methods such as online communications so that opportunities to participate in the training will not be lost.

MATSUDA Kuninori, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, citing his optimism on the training programmes in Japan, stated that these exceptionally wide variety training programmes can be achieved as a result of a long succession of more than 60 years track record. “I would like all participants to make maximum use of this opportunity, even in challenging times”, said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador hoped that these participants who will broaden their knowledge in Japan could contribute towards the bright future of Pakistan and further strengthening of Japan-Pakistan relations.

---------------------------------------------------

Japanese ambassador's message; wishing success for Pakistani Athletes

ISLAMABAD, JUL 23: The Tokyo Summer Olympics finally begins in Japan today! All of the Pakistani Olympic contingent have arrived in Japan.

Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori, wishing well for the Pakistani athletes, said, "Congratulations to the athletes, coaches, supporting staff, and the families of the Pakistan’s Olympic Team for competing in the Games. 

I respect your resilience and dedication to professionalism as the world goes through a health crisis. I would like to convey my best wishes to the Pakistani Olympic Team.

Japanese ambassador's message; wishing success for Pakistani Athletes - TWEET THIS?

I hope that, through watching the top-level competitions of the Olympian’s the world will be encouraged to stand stronger together as we fight through these unprecedented and difficult times”.

Before leaving for Japan the Athletes shared their messages regarding the Olympics with the Embassy of Japan. Please see their messages with their pictures.

----------------------------------------------