TASHKENT: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasized the need to revitalize and reform the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) during his address at the 16th ECO Summit held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He underscored the potential of a well-connected region in bringing significant economic and peace benefits to the peoples of member countries.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the corridor-based approach adopted by the ECO, emphasizing that it is a positive step in maximizing the region’s potential. These corridors are expected to enhance connectivity among member states, fostering a new era of substantial economic growth. Furthermore, these corridor projects will create an environment conducive to private sector expansion, offering increased business and investment opportunities.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar highlighted the significance of operationalizing the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad corridor and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to upgrading its rail and road infrastructure to facilitate trade with neighboring countries and beyond. He stressed the importance of notifying additional border crossing points within the ECO region to streamline trade operations.
The Prime Minister recognized Afghanistan’s critical role in regional connectivity and the strategic importance of projects like CASA 100, Trans Afghan railways, and TAPI. He expressed Pakistan’s eagerness to collaborate with other ECO countries to build a peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected Afghanistan.
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Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also pointed out the landmark preferential trade arrangement of the ECO trade agreement quota, urging member countries to sign and promote regional trade through this mechanism.
Discussing Pakistan’s investment landscape, he mentioned the establishment of a Special Investment Facilitation Council that serves as a single-window platform for cooperation across five key sectors, including agriculture, defense production, IT, energy, and mining. This body is mandated to direct government institutions, ensuring policy continuation and execution.
The Prime Minister condemned Israeli atrocities in Gaza and called for addressing this issue in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He urged ECO member countries to support a ceasefire in Gaza, provide humanitarian assistance, and collaborate to hold Israel accountable.
Highlighting the ongoing Indian atrocities in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed Pakistan’s reliance on its fraternal ECO countries’ support for the exercise of the right to self-determination by the people of Kashmir in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
