‘Uzbekistan enjoys great bilateral relations with Pakistan’
Rizwan Haider
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Mr Furqat A, Sidikov while talking to media said that Uzbekistan will hold presidential elections on December 4 this year following the death of President Islam Karimov.
He said that all the preparations have been completed to hold transparent elections in the country. He was of the view that elections will be held in fair, free and transparent manner. While telling details he said that four major political parties would contest in the elections. He said that under the constitution of the country a presidential election must be held within three months. While lauding efforts of Islam Karimov he said that under his leadership his country has touched new heights of prosperity and development.
Answering a question he said that Uzbekistan is considering launching direct flights to Pakistan soon and it is likely to happen in the next year. He said Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy good bilateral relations and agreed of direct air links between the two countries. He informed that an election booth will be established in the embassy in Islamabad for the Uzbek nationals to cast their vote. To a question, he said the Election Commission of Uzbekistan is very much powerful and independent to take any decision regarding the fairness of the polls.
On the occasion, two Pakistani journalists Mr Safeer Shah and Agha Iqrar Haroon who have observed their previous elections shared their experience with their fellow colleagues. They were of the view that the elections took place in Uzbekistan in a fair, free, transparent and very peaceful manner. They appreciated the arrangements both the holding of elections made by the Election Commission of Uzbekistan. To a question, the ambassador said that international observers and media people are welcomed from any part of the world to observe the elections.