Mehmood-Ul-Hassan Khan
September the 1st, the Nation of Uzbekistan celebrates the country’s 19th Anniversary of Independence. Within short period, Uzbekistan has experienced profound transformation in socio-economic, cultural and political life. Creation of new state system, rebuilding social and economic structure of the new country, revival of historical heritage and cultural identity, were among the first challenges of the Nation.
Thanks to selfless work, courage and bravery, patience and generosity, Uzbekistan has made substantial progress in all spheres of life, which has been recognized throughout the world. A clear proof of this is the stable economic growth rates, conquest of new frontiers, cardinal transformation of our country’s look, dynamic improvement of living standards, wages and incomes of the population achieved over the recent years, including this year.
For the last 9 years Uzbekistan’s GDP is continuously growing at 8-9 % per annum. Despite the Global Financial crisis, in the first half of the year 2010 the growth of GDP made up 8 %, industrial production 8%, agriculture – 6.9 %, services – 10.9 %, construction works 11.5% and exports 14.3%.
This year Uzbekistan has hosted several regional events. In May 2010, ADB’s 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors was held in Tashkent and brought together some 3,000 participants including ministers of finance and development, central bankers, private sector representatives, civil society and media to discuss a broad range of issues linked to ADB’s mission to reduce poverty.
Several documents inked during the 43rd Annual Meeting of ADB Board of Governors worth a total of USD 1.015 billion to fund industrial and educational projects in Uzbekistan.
On June 11, 2010, the 10th Meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan. Chinese President Hu Jintao, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Foreign Minister of the interim government of Kyrgyzstan Ruslan Kazakbayev attended the meeting.
The modern Uzbek Nation is gaining the power and spiritual strength by restoring and rebuilding the heritage of famous historical personalities.
The life and activities of many great personalities, who were born and matured in the land of the ancient Uzbekistan, had attained a profound fame in Islamic world thanks to their huge legacy. The names of Imam Al-Bukhariy (RA) and Imam Termiziy (RA), Imam Motridiy (RA) and Bakhouddin Nakshband (RA), scholars such as Muhammad Al-Khorazmiy and Akhmad Farghoniy, Abu Raikhon Beruniy and Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Mirzo Ulughbek, Alisher Navoiy and Mirza Muhammad Babur are being restored and closely linked with Islamic and world civilization.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is close neighbor of Uzbekistan; our countries enjoy friendly and brotherly relations based upon deep rooted historical interactions and brotherhood with the great legacy of our common ancestors.
With directives of H.E. Mr. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani a representative delegation led by Minister of State and Chairman Board of Investment Mr. Saleem Hakeem Mandviwala has held a successful visit to Uzbekistan in January 2010.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Dr. V.Norov visited Pakistan in April, 2010 and had held fruitful and substantial talks with Pakistan`s leadership and his colleague H.E. Mr. Shah Mahmud Qureishi on regional issues and furthering bilateral cooperation between two brotherly countries.
In June 2010 (10-12 June) the high level talks between the President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari were held on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Tashkent. The leaders of two brotherly countries once more reiterated their firm commitment to continue the relentless efforts in boosting bilateral cooperation and coordinated steps for the peaceful solution of the Afghan conflict in the frameworks of the regional initiatives.
Sharing the pain and sufferings of flood affected Pakistanis, Uzbekistan has provided 40 tons of relief assistance, including 50 thousand canned baby food, 10 tons of flour, 3 tons of rice, 5 tons of pure water, 6 thousand adult and children’s shoes, clothing, tents, blankets, medicines, food and other items worth 0.3 million USD.
The Embassy of Uzbekistan has expressed the solidarity with flood victims in Pakistan and decided to refrain from organizing the annual reception on the occasion of Independence Day in Islamabad.
The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan H.E. Mr. Oybek Usmanov congratulates all friends of Uzbekistan with the 19th Anniversary of the Independence.
May peace always rule in our countries, and may our people always prosper!
Jashn-e Ozody Uzbekistan muborak,