PM Shehbaz vows to strengthen Pakistan-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership

BISHKEK -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening its Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan.

The commitment was expressed during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bishkek today, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) Meeting in the Kyrgyz Republic.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also emphasized translating the excellent political relationship into tangible economic benefits for the peoples of both countries.

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

The Prime Minister reiterated the shared objective of increasing bilateral trade to two billion dollars by 2029.

He also called for the 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 underscored 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.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.

The two sides discussed further 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 towards 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 the desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade, and sustainable development. He also emphasized continued cooperation within the ECO and other multilateral forums.

Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm felicitations to President Mirziyoyev and the brotherly 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.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar were also present.