ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, with the two leaders discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation.
The prime minister congratulated President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Media Wing.
Recalling the Uzbek president’s state visit to Pakistan in February 2026, he said the visit and the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council had given fresh momentum to the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Bishkek.
Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Commerce, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Communications… pic.twitter.com/HN5evMrSAr
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 31, 2026
Prime Minister Sharif stressed the need for timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation.
Expanded Preferential Trade Agreement
PM Sharif reiterated the shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2029 and called for effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, greater business-to-business engagement and the promotion of mutually beneficial joint ventures.
Highlighting regional connectivity as a key strategic priority, the prime minister underscored the potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway to connect Central and South Asia and provide Uzbekistan with access to Pakistan’s seaports.
He called for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater use of existing multimodal transport corridors. He also reaffirmed Islamabad’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.
The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in several areas, including industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence and security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz called for enhanced air connectivity between the two countries, including progress towards establishing direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi.
Pakistan’s forthcoming SCO chairmanship
He appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed the country’s desire to work closely with Tashkent on regional security, connectivity, trade and sustainable development.
ALSO READ: Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Diplomatic Efforts for Middle East Peace
The prime minister also emphasised continued cooperation between the two countries through the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) and other multilateral forums.
Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to further strengthening its strategic partnership with Uzbekistan and translating the strong political relationship into tangible economic benefits for the people of both countries.
