ISLAMABAD: Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov has said that his Central Asian republic can be termed as the heart of Great Silk Road having a great potential to connect the nations and cultures.
In an interactive session jointly organised by the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) in collaboration with the Embassy of Turkmenistan, he said that Turkmenistan was focusing on adopting the concept of modern development, based on centuries-old experience, cultural traditions, rich spiritual heritage and human values.
The ambassador said that the Great Silk Road was considered to be one of the successful achievements of ancient civilizations and Turkmenistan was significant being pivotal part of the route. CGSS Vice President Hafiz Masroor Ahmed said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed cordial relations, which were characterised by bonds of historical, cultural and religious affinity and mutual respect.
He stressed further cooperation in diverse fields to strengthen friendship between the people of two countries. Regional expert Dr Mehmood ul Hassan Khan mentioned the importance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline, saying that this was possessing one of the largest energy potential in the world. “Turkmenistan is contributing for a stable structure of global energy security,” he said.
Dr Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi said that the Great Silk Road was the old trade route which initiated from the ancient city of China’s Xian. He said that the Central Asian region becomes an integral part of the world of Muslim civilization ever since the seventh century and was considered as a gateway to Central Asia in terms of trade and politics during 9th and 10th centuries.
Azat Satlykuliev highlighted the importance of international trade routes from China to the Middle East via Amul, Merv, Sarakhs, Abiverd, Nisa, from Near East countries to Russia via Dehistan and Kunyaurgench, to India via Zemm used to cross the territory of Turkmenistan in ancient and medieval times and also the prospects of tourism and desert race Amul-Hazar 2018, international rally, which was held in Turkmenistan.
