Diplomatic Calendar: Uzbek Armed Forces Day celebrated.

Byline: Tanveer Shahzad , Syeda Shehrbano Kazim and Jamal Shahid

Uzbek dancers perform during the Armed Forces Day celebrations of their country in Islamabad.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidiqov and Defence Attache Lt Col Sadullah Tashmatov celebrated the 28th Armed Forces Day of Uzbekistan with colourful shows by Uzbek performers and the Uzbek Military Troupe.

The event was attended by a diverse group of Pakistanis, diplomats and Uzbek nationals including civil and military officials, journalists and academics.

The guests were enchanted by performances by young Uzbek children wearing traditional garb and an Uzbek army officer's rendition of the Pakistani song Chanda Karaysalam, Suraj Karaysalam.

Ambassador Sidiqov expressed his delight at being able to share Uzbek culture and cuisine with the guests in keeping with the warm bilateral relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He shared that the relations between the two had reached new heights and would continue to grow for years to come.

The Uzbek Pilaf, a lamb and rice creation similar to the local pulao was greatly appreciated by the Pakistani palate as was the effort to learn and perform Pakistani music.

Envoy for completion of TAPI project in 2 years

Turkmen Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov speaks at a press briefing in Islamabad.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov said on Thursday that he hopes formalities around the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline are completed so the project can be constructed in two years.

Speaking at a press briefing to announce celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the neutrality of Turkmenistan, he...