ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that Pakistan was committed to working with Uzbekistan to speed up and complete all bilateral trade and connectivity projects.

In meeting with Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to provide access to Uzbekistan to Pakistani Ports, PM Office press release said. He emphasised importance of Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project and Pakistan’s commitment to its early completion.

Two sides discussed enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in trade and economy, security and defense, connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Importance of peace and development in Afghanistan for regional connectivity was also discussed. Uzbek Minister conveyed invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for Shehbaz to undertake an official visit to Uzbekistan at his earliest convenience.

Meanwhile, he directed authorities concerned to immediately initiate process of establishing Pakistan Skill Company and Pakistan Skill Development Fund to unify technical and vocational education countrywide and provide better employment to Pakistani workers abroad. Chairing high-level meeting to review matters of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and National Vocational and Technical Training Commission decided to introduce reforms in said organisations.

He instructed to further activate NAVVTC to provide world-class technical and vocational training to young workforce and also called for ensuring globally renowned and international certifications in all technical fields. During briefing, he was informed about steps taken by NAVTTC regarding vocational and technical training of workforce in Pakistan.

Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and SIFC National Coordinator Lt. General Sarfaraz Ahmed attended meeting.