Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday signed a number of accords aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including defence, agriculture, trade, industry, culture, education, disaster management, pharmaceuticals and others.
The understandings were finalized during the two-day state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who reached Islamabad on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Upon arrival was accorded a formal welcome at the Prime Minister’s House before holding detailed talks with the Pakistani leadership.
Following the ceremonial reception, the two leaders first met one-on-one and later led their respective delegations in comprehensive discussions.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the steady upward momentum in Pakistan–Uzbekistan ties, rooted in shared history as well as deep religious and cultural links.
Their dialogue spanned the full range of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on boosting trade and investment, strengthening regional connectivity, and expanding collaboration in education and cultural exchanges.
They also exchanged views on key regional and global developments of mutual interest.
The prime minister and the Uzbek president expressed pleasure over the frequency of high-level engagements and the consistent functioning of institutional mechanisms between the two countries.
They welcomed the operational launch of the High-Level Strategic Consultative Council, designed to ensure timely follow-up and implementation of leadership-level decisions.
This framework was originally set up during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Tashkent in February 2025, and both sides pledged to push forward with the roadmap agreed during that trip.
Connectivity featured prominently in the talks, with both leaders appreciating ongoing cooperation to improve links by road, rail, air and sea.
They underscored the strategic importance of the proposed Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project, describing it as a transformative initiative that would connect Central Asia with Pakistani ports and open new trade corridors.
Highlighting the broadening scope of cooperation, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to intensify collaboration in sectors such as mining, energy, defence, tourism, education and culture.
They also reaffirmed their shared goal of raising bilateral trade to two billion US dollars in the coming years.
After the formal discussions, the two leaders jointly unveiled plaques for Tashkent Street and Babur Park in Islamabad, symbolizing the close friendship between the two nations.
At a separate ceremony for agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), PM Shehbaz and President Mirziyoyev signed a Joint Declaration marking the outcomes of the Uzbek leader’s state visit.
In total, 29 agreements and MoUs were exchanged, covering areas including trade and investment, mining, healthcare, information technology, agriculture, education, research, maritime cooperation and sports.
In recognition of President Mirziyoyev’s role in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting peace and development in the wider region, PM Shehbaz conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree along with the Certificate of Honorary Professor from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).
Speaking to the media afterward, both leaders voiced confidence that the newly signed agreements and the Joint Declaration would pave the way for deeper and more dynamic cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during his visit and invited Shehbaz to attend the next meeting of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, scheduled to be held in Tashkent next year.