National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued a strong condemnation of human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Israeli aggression in Gaza, asserting that lasting regional peace is impossible without a just resolution to the disputes. He called upon the international community and the Muslim Ummah to play a fair and decisive role in supporting the oppressed populations during a high-level meeting with a visiting Uzbek parliamentary delegation on Monday.
The Uzbek delegation, led by Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, arrived in Islamabad for an official visit at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart. Speaker Sadiq warmly received the dignitaries, highlighting the historic and brotherly ties between the two nations, which are founded on shared faith, culture, and deep-rooted civilizational links.
During the discussions, Speaker Sadiq emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering peace, regional stability, and development. He underscored the importance of platforms like the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in forging stronger legislative collaboration and institutional connections.
Economically, Pakistan views Uzbekistan as a key regional partner and is keen to broaden cooperation in trade, energy, and infrastructure. Sadiq extended an invitation for Uzbekistan to leverage Pakistan’s strategic location and its seaports, including Gwadar and Karachi, as vital gateways to the global market.
On regional security, the Speaker maintained that Afghanistan must ensure its territory is not used for terrorist activities. He also noted that Pakistan responded to Indian aggression in a firm and balanced manner, stating that a ceasefire was reached at India’s request, crediting the nation’s unity and the sacrifices of its armed forces for the resilient defense and diplomatic victory.
The conversation also turned to environmental issues, with Sadiq noting that while Pakistan is among the lowest contributors to climate change, it faces severe consequences. He praised the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) performance during recent floods and advocated for joint regional efforts to mitigate environmental challenges.
In his remarks, Speaker Nuriddin Ismoilov conveyed his deep gratitude for the warm reception. He commended Speaker Sadiq’s leadership in promoting meaningful parliamentary diplomacy and acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic importance in trade and energy connectivity.
Mr. Ismoilov pointed out that Uzbekistan has also suffered from terrorism and suggested that both nations could learn from each other’s counterterrorism experiences. He praised Pakistan’s balanced and admirable diplomatic stance during recent tensions with India and supported a joint strategy to address climate change.
The Uzbek Speaker described Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Uzbekistan as a milestone that has provided fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing peace, regional integration, and shared prosperity through strengthened parliamentary and institutional engagement.