Thu, September 17, 2026
Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday renewed their determination to elevate bilateral ties to a markedly higher level as Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concluded a two-day state visit to Pakistan that produced broad understandings across trade, connectivity, culture, security and regional cooperation.
President Mirziyoyev visited Pakistan from February 5 to 6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During the visit, the two leaders held extensive discussions covering the full scope of bilateral relations, along with key regional and international developments of shared interest.
A joint declaration released at the end of the visit highlighted the resolve of both countries to deepen cooperation while fully respecting each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and to pursue sustainable development aligned with their long-term national priorities.
Speaking during the talks, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are linked by longstanding historical, cultural and spiritual ties, noting that their partnership was built on mutual trust and common aspirations for peace and prosperity in the wider region.
President Mirziyoyev, expressing satisfaction with the direction of relations, said the partnership had moved into a new stage of strategic cooperation, fueled by closer political engagement and growing people-to-people exchanges
The leaders reviewed progress achieved since the visit of PM Shehbaz to Uzbekistan in February 2025 and welcomed the rise in high-level interactions, including contacts on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.
They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining sustained political dialogue at all tiers.
On economic cooperation, both sides reiterated their goal of raising bilateral trade to two billion dollars by 2029.
They recalled that Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian country to conclude both a Transit Trade Agreement and a Preferential Trade Agreement with Pakistan, setting an important precedent for deeper economic ties.
The joint declaration pointed to significant untapped opportunities in trade, investment and industrial collaboration, underlining the shared intent to convert political goodwill into measurable economic results.
The leaders welcomed progress on expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement, the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and efforts to harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary regulations along with mutual recognition of standards.
They also agreed to encourage joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather, agriculture, minerals and engineering products, while strengthening cooperation in e-commerce.
Connectivity emerged as a central theme of the discussions. Both sides welcomed the signing of the framework agreement for the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project and jointly endorsed the Termiz–Kharlachi route.
They reaffirmed their commitment to completing the project at the earliest, recognizing its importance for regional integration and economic advancement.
Pakistan reiterated its readiness to offer Uzbekistan access to its seaports and modern road network for transit trade, while both countries agreed to move swiftly toward operationalizing the Multimodal Transport Memorandum of Understanding.
In the cultural sphere, Pakistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their shared civilizational roots shaped by the Silk Road legacy.
The leaders welcomed the agreement on preserving and promoting Baburid heritage and pledged to broaden cooperation through cultural festivals, academic exchanges and heritage conservation initiatives.
President Mirziyoyev noted that their shared history served not only as a reminder of the past but also as a platform for future cooperation, regional harmony and intellectual progress.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the expanding collaboration in higher education, media and tourism, noting the launch of direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and Lahore.
They agreed to activate the Tourism Working Group and to formulate a joint strategy to promote tourism.
On security and defence matters, both countries agreed to continue regular consultations, strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies and work jointly to counter terrorism, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking.
At the multilateral level, Pakistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and pledged mutual support for each other’s initiatives and candidatures in international organizations.
Uzbekistan congratulated Pakistan on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–26 and expressed full support for Pakistan’s chairmanship roles in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).
The leaders also exchanged views on regional developments, stressing the need for peace and stability in Afghanistan and calling for concrete measures to curb terrorism emanating from Afghan territory.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Mirziyoyev thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their warm hospitality and invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Uzbekistan, an invitation that the Prime Minister accepted.
Neo News | Copyright © 2026
