Uzbekistan and Pakistan Outline Priorities for Deepening Strategic Partnership

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 5 February, in Islamabad, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif held a closed-door meeting, followed by the first session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

At the start of the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan congratulated the Prime Minister on the upcoming holy month of Ramadan and Pakistan Day.

The leaders discussed practical measures to further strengthen strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, noting the high level of interaction achieved in recent years. Political dialogue has intensified, while interparliamentary and interagency exchanges have expanded.

Bilateral trade in 2025 reached nearly US$500 million. About 230 enterprises with Pakistani capital operate in Uzbekistan. The number of flights between the countries has increased, and correspondent banking relations have strengthened.

The parties welcomed the successful implementation of joint projects in textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemical industry, agriculture, and other sectors. During the visit, an exhibition of Uzbek industrial products is being held.

Agreements were reached on establishing a Uzbekistan–Pakistan Business Council and holding the first session of the Coordinating Committee of Foreign Ministries in Tashkent. Both sides set a target to increase bilateral trade to US$2 billion, expand the product range under the Preferential Trade Agreement, streamline phytosanitary approvals for Uzbek goods, and make fuller use of Uzbek trade houses in Lahore and Karachi.

A project portfolio worth nearly US$3.5 billion was formed across agriculture, electrical engineering, geology, pharmaceuticals, and light and food industries. Special attention was given to developing transport and logistics connectivity, including accelerating the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway and advancing the Pakistan–China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan transport corridor.

The creation of a Uzbekistan–Pakistan Forum of Regions was agreed, with its first session planned this year in the Khorezm region. Issues of pilgrimage tourism and cultural cooperation were also discussed, including holding Uzbekistan Culture Week and Uzbek Film Days in Pakistan this year. President Mirziyoyev proposed establishing a joint cultural center in Lahore to promote the heritage of the Baburids.

The talks also covered key international and regional issues, confirming commitment to continued engagement within multilateral frameworks.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev invited Prime Minister Sharif to pay a reciprocal visit to Uzbekistan.