ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As a kick start for Central Asian Conference to be held in Islamabad on March 21, Pakistan on Tuesday offered multiple services to Central Asian Republics (CARs), aims at promotion of their media industry, culture, tourism, heritage and history.
It may be mentioned that Pakistan is hosting a four-day International Conference titled “Pakistan: A Land of Opportunities for Central Asian Republics” in Islamabad as part of its initiative to further enhance its ties with Eurasian, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Central Asian Countries.
Initiated by National Security Advisor of Pakistan Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua and his team, the Conference would host experts and high level delegations from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The Conference would hold brainstorming sessions aiming at to enhance the regional economic opportunities and discuss regional security paradigm
While briefing the delegations from CARs including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in Islamabad, the team of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage headed by the Additional Secretary of Information Ministry Shafqat Jalil apprised them about the working of Pakistan’s Information Ministry.
The delegation members from Uzbekistan headed by the Uzbek ambassador to Pakistan Furqat A. Sidiq included Ikramov Adham Ilhamovich, Saifnazarov Sahib Ismailovich, Sharahmetov Sharruh Shaturgunovich, Mustafayev Bakhtiyor Rasulovich and Nematov Akram Ilhamovich; from Kygyz Republic the delegation included Baidoletov Nuradil Esenbekovich, Dr. Colonel Kaana Aidarkul and Dr. Kubanychbek Idinov; while from Kazakhstan’s delegation, Georgiy Dubovtsev, Lessya Karatayeva Kapataeba, Irina Chernykh and Adilkhan Gadelshiyev participated.
Likewise, the delegation members from Turkmenistan headed by the Turkmen ambassador to Pakistan Movlamov Atajan Nurlyevich included the Deputy Minister of Finance Republic of Turkmenistan and the Director Strategic Studies Institute under the President of Republic of Turkmenistan; while the Tajik delegation consisted of the ambassador Sherali Jononov and Dr. Khudaberdi Kholiqnazar.
During the briefing, Additional Secretary Shafqat Jalil offered services of Pakistan’s national broadcasters and news agencies for the promotion of the positive strengths and policies of CARs. It also offered CARs its services to provide training to media personnel.
Pakistan proposed exchange of media personnel for promoting better understanding between Pakistan and CARs. It also proposed exchange of cultural troupes including cuisine, films, fashion, documentaries, and dramas.
The foreign delegations were apprised that Pakistan is keen to promote performing arts and preservation of heritage with member Countries of CARs. They were informed that Pakistan desires implementation of all instruments for understanding and corporation signed between Pakistan and CARs. Likewise, Pakistan expressed its desire to promote joint production of films/TV serials.
Pakistan also proposed consideration of grant of visa on arrival to media and cultural representatives subject to recommendation of their governments. In addition, it also proposed the establishment of cultural centers.
In the event, it was agreed upon that CARs and Pakistan must endeavor that exchange of material is dubbed in the language of the Country where it is to be utilized.
It was decided that a delegation comprising scholars, media persons, artistes and cultural representatives from CARs may visit Pakistan annually by rotation. It was also decided that a dedicated programme by the National Broadcasters for 30 minutes be aired to keep the audience abreast of developments taking place.
In addition, Pakistan offered music, drama, documentaries, highlighting historical heritage; national songs, to be aired/broadcast by national broadcasters of member Countries of CARs and vice versa.
In the event, the Pakistan Tourism Development Cooperation (PTDC) also briefed the CARs delegations on the “Promotion of Tourism Opportunities between Pakistan and CARs”.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued by the office of National Security Advisor (NSA) states as:
On 20th March 2018, high level delegations from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan attended meetings at various Ministries of Pakistan.
The first meeting was arranged at the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), where the delegations were briefed by Federal Ministry of Defence Production.
During the briefing the visiting dignitaries were apprised about the defence related capabilities/productions which covered various defence related equipment, war machinery, arsenal and munitions.
The delegations expressed keen interest and applauded the progress made by Pakistan in the above areas. The participants agreed that cooperation in the field of security and defense is necessary to combat challenges and threats in the region as well as the fight against terrorism and extremism.
The delegation also visited National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) where they were briefed by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) about the agricultural development, food security, poultry, livestock, and crop production.
Furthermore, various areas of mutual cooperation and interest were also discussed to promote bilateral trade and cooperation. It was decided that cooperation in the fields of agriculture, food processing, crop production as other potential areas can be developed.
Later, the delegation visited Pakistan Tourism Development Authority. Ms. Shaista Sohial – Special Secretary Cabinet Division briefed the delegates about the prospects of religious tourism, tourism exchange programs and deliberated upon the areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the Central Asian countries. The visiting delegates also expressed interest in investment opportunities in the tourism sector of Pakistan, hoping that many initiatives can be taken to boost tourism and people to people contacts.
This meeting was proceeded by the briefing of Federal Ministry of Information Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage at the Cabinet Division, Pakistan. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss common Media Forum and deliberate on future cooperation between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics.
