Uzbekistan and Pakistan Discuss Expanded Trade, Transport Links and Direct Flights

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Trade Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, met with Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Islamabad, to discuss the development of bilateral trade and cooperation in transport and the economy.

The coordinator praised Tashkent’s development, noting that the capital’s infrastructure and urban planning are comparable to those of developed countries.

He highlighted Uzbekistan’s stable economic indicators over the past decade, with growth of around six percent, as well as the country’s focus on institutional reforms and the engagement of young people in public administration.

For his part, the Uzbek ambassador thanked the coordinator for his comments and reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries, united by shared Islamic heritage, brotherly ties and regional interests.

He noted their joint goal of increasing bilateral trade turnover to US$2 billion, and voiced concern over the closure of transit routes through Afghanistan, including the Torkham border crossing, underscoring the negative impact on regional trade.

The parties discussed expanding transport connectivity through proposed railway routes to Central Asia, Russia and Azerbaijan, which would reduce transit times and transport costs and improve market access.

Special attention was paid to the participation of Pakistani companies in Uzbekistan, including business registration and support, as well as the need to increase the number of direct flights, taking into account Uzbekistan’s role as a transit hub for the Pakistani diaspora.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to expand tariff lines under the Preferential Trade Agreement and a reaffirmation of their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.