Pakistan, Uzbekistan elevate ties with strategic agreements across trade, connectivity, and culture

Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Friday pledged to take bilateral relations to a “new phase of strategic cooperation” as President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrapped up a two-day state visit to Pakistan. The visit featured wide-ranging agreements on trade, investment, connectivity, culture, security, and regional cooperation.

The leaders, meeting on February 5–6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, reviewed progress since the Prime Minister’s February 2025 visit to Tashkent. They reaffirmed the importance of regular high-level engagements and sustained political dialogue across all levels.

A joint declaration emphasized mutual support for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity while advancing sustainable development aligned with long-term national priorities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the partnership as rooted in historical, cultural, and spiritual affinities, while President Mirziyoyev highlighted enhanced political dialogue and people-to-people contacts as central to a deepening relationship.

On economic cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a bilateral trade target of $2 billion by 2029. Progress on expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement, signing a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and aligning standards in sanitary, phytosanitary, and e-commerce measures was welcomed. Leaders also highlighted opportunities for joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather, agriculture, minerals, and engineering goods.

Connectivity initiatives included the signing of the Framework Agreement for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, with endorsement of the Termiz–Kharlachi route and commitment to early completion. Pakistan offered Uzbekistan access to seaports and its international-standard road network for transit trade, while both sides pledged timely operationalization of the Multimodal Transport MoU.

Cultural cooperation was reinforced through a new agreement on Baburid heritage preservation, alongside plans for cultural festivals, academic exchanges, and heritage conservation. Direct flights between Islamabad, Lahore, and Tashkent were noted as facilitating people-to-people links, with a Tourism Working Group set to prepare a joint promotion plan.

On security, the two countries agreed to maintain regular dialogue, enhance law enforcement cooperation, and jointly combat terrorism, extremism, separatism, and drug trafficking. At the multilateral level, Uzbekistan reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s international initiatives, including its UN Security Council role and SCO and ECO chairmanships.

The leaders exchanged views on regional stability, particularly in Afghanistan, calling for decisive action against terrorism emanating from Afghan territory. President Mirziyoyev thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Uzbekistan, an invitation the Prime Minister accepted.