Pakistan, Uzbekistan rekindle vows to deepen strategic partnership

September 01, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their Strategic Partnership, with both sides agreeing to translate their strong political relationship into tangible economic benefits, including a shared target of raising bilateral trade to $2bn by 2029.

The commitment was reiterated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar were also present, said a press release issued.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, and economic cooperation.

He called for effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, greater business-to-business engagement, and the promotion of mutually beneficial joint ventures.

Highlighting regional connectivity as a shared strategic priority, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformative potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway for linking Central and South Asia and facilitating Uzbekistan's access to Pakistan's seaports.

He emphasized early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater utilization of existing multimodal transport corridors, while reaffirming Pakistan's readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.

The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence, and security.

The Prime Minister also supported enhanced air connectivity, including progress toward direct Tashkent-Karachi flights.

The Prime Minister appreciated Uzbekistan's support for Pakistan's forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed a desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade, and sustainable development, while also emphasizing continued cooperation within the ECO and other multilateral forums.

Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm felicitations to President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence.

Recalling President Mirziyoyev's state visit to Pakistan in February 2026, the Prime Minister noted that the visit and the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council had imparted fresh momentum to the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership.

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