Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Uzbekistan.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bishkek. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Kyrgyzstan.
Both leaders discussed ways to turn strong political ties into tangible economic benefits. They also reviewed opportunities to expand trade, investment, connectivity, and economic cooperation.
Pakistan Targets $2 Billion Bilateral Trade
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2029.
To achieve this target, he called for timely implementation of leadership-level decisions. He also stressed greater business-to-business engagement and mutually beneficial joint ventures.
Moreover, the Prime Minister urged both sides to effectively implement the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement.
Railway to Connect Central and South Asia
Regional connectivity remained a key focus of the meeting. Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway to connect Central and South Asia.
The railway could also provide Uzbekistan with greater access to Pakistani seaports. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister called for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study.
He also encouraged greater use of existing multimodal transport corridors. Pakistan, he added, remains ready to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.
Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors
The two sides discussed expanding cooperation across several sectors. These include:
- Industry and agriculture
- Pharmaceuticals and textiles
- Mining and digital technologies
- Education and culture
- Defence and security
In addition, the Prime Minister supported stronger air connectivity. He particularly highlighted progress toward establishing direct Tashkent-Karachi flights.
Stronger Cooperation Through Regional Forums
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
Furthermore, he expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade, and sustainable development. Both countries will also continue cooperation through the Economic Cooperation Organization and other multilateral platforms.
New Momentum in Bilateral Relations
The Prime Minister recalled President Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Pakistan in February 2026. He said the visit and the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council gave fresh momentum to bilateral relations.
Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the country’s 35th Independence Day.
The meeting was also attended by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ataullah Tarar.
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