ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan on Tuesday, at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and explore cooperation in various sectors, including trade, energy, defence, and regional stability.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and other members of his cabinet.
During the bilateral meeting, the Prime Minister and President of Uzbekistan would discuss all areas of bilateral cooperation including connectivity, economic, trade, investment, energy, defence and security, regional stability, and education. They would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated in a statement.
The foreign office said a number of bilateral agreements and MoUs will also be signed.
The Prime Minister would also address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum. Leading businessmen from both sides will participate in the Business Forum and hold B2B meetings to further enhance bilateral trade.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are bound together by common bonds of history, culture, religion, and aspirations for peace and development.
🔊: PR NO. 6️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of Prime Minister to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
🔗⬇️https://t.co/wHi8ltamx5… pic.twitter.com/tIecR1sdTx
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 24, 2025
“The Prime Minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen its ties with Uzbekistan, through fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership, as part of the strategic vision for regional integration and economic prosperity,” the statement said.
In November last year, the 9th meeting of the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission (UPIJC) was held in Tashkent, aimed at deepening trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two nations.
The Pakistani delegation, led by Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, included representatives from over 30 businesses involved in a diverse range of sectors including food, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics, chemicals, transport, and logistics.
Last month Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev during an address to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said that his country is mulling to launch a new direct flight between Tashkent and Karachi this year.
He said that Uzbekistan implemented a soft visa regime for Pakistani nationals in September 2023, facilitating business and tourist travel.
The ambassador emphasised the growing trade potential, noting that bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has tripled in the last five years, increasing from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023.
