2nd Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan was held in Islamabad today (Monday).

Additional Secretary Afghanistan and West Asia Aamer Aftab Qureshi and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov Co-chaired the meeting from Pakistan and Uzbekistan sides respectively.

They reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations in the domain of political, trade and investment, connectivity, security and defence and people-to-people contacts as well as cooperation in international and regional foras.

Recognizing their respective geo-strategic location in Central and South Asia, the two sides expressed satisfaction on the state of existing ties spanning over three decades of cooperation.

They underscored the importance of holding regular political dialogue and high-level interaction to deepen mutual understanding and follow-up on it. They agreed to continue enhancing trade and economic cooperation. Both the sides also committed to enhance collaboration in culture and education sectors.

The Additional Secretary highlighted government's socio-economic policies with shift in focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.

While exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, they emphasized on continued efforts for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan, and continued support to Afghanistan by engaging the international community for humanitarian assistance, and un-freezing of Afghan assets.

It was underscored that dividends of peace in Afghanistan would be beneficial for the entire region. The Additional Secretary briefed his counterpart on the deteriorating situation of human rights in the Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

This year, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are celebrating the 30thanniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.