Peshawar University, Kyrgyz centre ink exchange accord

Kyrgyz envoy calls for turning close geographic proximity into closer bilateral bonds

PESHAWAR: The Area Study Centre at the University of Peshawar and the Kyrgyz Centre of Strategic Research on Wednesday signed an agreement for the exchange of scholars and research material as the Kyrgyz envoy called for fostering closer ties with Pakistan.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed when a Kyrgyz delegation, led by Kyrgyz Ambassador Erik Beishembiev visited the Area Study Centre (for Russia, China, and Central Asia) at the University of Peshawar on Wednesday.

Area Study Centre Director Professor Dr Shabir Ahmad Khan gave the ambassador a tour of the centre, showing him the main auditorium, the library, languages lab, scholars lodge and intellectual contribution to the studies of Central Asia.

Later, while addressing an interactive session on “Pakistan- Kyrgyzstan Relations and Enhancing Academic Institutional Cooperation”, Beishembiev highlighted regional developments.

He stressed on the historical relationship between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan and emphasized the dire need for promoting relations between the two countries in terms of education, culture, trade, connectivity and industries.

The envoy pointed to the importance of a quadrilateral transit trade and said that the obstacles faced by both parties will be removed very soon.

Beishembiev said that the geographical distance between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan was quite small with a flight from Islamabad to Bishkek lasting only one and a half hours.

He highlighted the need for close cooperation between the two countries especially in the fields of pharmaceuticals.

Pointing to the common bond of Islam between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan and countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, Beishembiev was of the view that it could bring them all close to each other.

Dr Shabir highlighted the importance of Central Asia as a hub of natural resources. He specifically highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s potential of huge hydro-electricity generation with 85% of water resources of the region located in the country and neighbouring Tajikistan. Then there were its gold reserves.

Moreover, he focused on the importance of Central Asia including Kyrgyzstan in terms of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), specifically Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan as a signatory to the quadrilateral transit trade agreement of 1995.

He hoped that a close liaison will be established between the Kyrgyz Centre of Strategic Research and the Area Study Centre through the exchange of scholars and research material by signing the agreement.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2019.