Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Monday on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen Pakistan-Uzbekistan ties across several key sectors.
Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Abdul Aleem Khan and Attaullah Tarar also attended the meeting.
Leaders discuss wider economic cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the country’s 35th Independence Day.
He recalled President Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Pakistan in February 2026. He said the visit gave fresh momentum to the two countries’ strategic partnership.
The prime minister also highlighted the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. He stressed the need to implement decisions taken by the leadership without delay.
The two sides focused on trade, investment, connectivity and broader economic cooperation.
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They also discussed cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and mining. Digital technology, education, culture, defence and security also featured in the talks.
Pakistan seeks $2bn trade target
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2029.
He called for stronger implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement. He also urged greater business-to-business engagement.
The prime minister encouraged both countries to pursue mutually beneficial joint ventures. He said stronger private-sector links could help increase trade and investment.
Railway project seen as regional game changer
Regional connectivity remained a key focus of the meeting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway. The proposed railway could connect Central and South Asia more closely.
The project could also give Uzbekistan access to Pakistan’s seaports. The prime minister called for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study.
He also encouraged greater use of existing multimodal transport routes.
Pakistan, he said, remained ready to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.
Push for direct air links
The prime minister also backed stronger air connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He particularly highlighted progress towards launching direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi.
Improved air links could support tourism, business and people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
Cooperation through SCO and ECO
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
He expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security and connectivity.
Trade and sustainable development will also remain areas of cooperation under the regional forum.
The prime minister further reaffirmed the importance of cooperation through the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other multilateral platforms.
Focus on stronger strategic partnership
The meeting ended with a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Uzbekistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both countries should turn their strong political relationship into practical economic gains.
The two sides aim to expand cooperation and create greater opportunities for the people of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
