KEY POINTS
- Pakistan and Uzbekistan exchanged 28 agreements and MoUs across multiple sectors.
- PM Sharif and President Mirziyoyev committed to enhancing economic, trade, and regional connectivity.
- Agreements cover defence, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT, mining, climate change, and anti-drug efforts.
- PM Sharif highlighted the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan rail project as a “game changer.”
- President Mirziyoyev called the day’s outcomes historic.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday exchanged 28 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The accords were signed in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.
Following the signing, both leaders issued a joint declaration underscoring their resolve to enhance economic, trade, and regional connectivity initiatives.
The agreements included collaboration between foreign ministries, the establishment of an inter-regional forum, and a framework for quarterly review meetings to monitor progress.
براہِ راست: وزیراعظم اور ازبک صدر کی مفاہمتی یادداشتوں کے تبادلے کی تقریب میں شرکت https://t.co/o7AkapWqoe
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 5, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the friendship between Pakistan and Uzbekistan as “rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared interests.”
“I want to assure you that I will work very closely with you for regional connectivity, as we both are in total agreement that the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail project will be a game changer, not only for our countries but for the entire region,” PM Sharif said.
“And in that, we are ready to join hands and work together to raise funds for this project on the basis of our feasibility and business plan,” the Prime Minister said.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Uzbekistan to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
PM Sharif also expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s support on the Kashmir and Palestine issues.
At the ceremony, an honorary degree of Doctorate of Philosophy and an honorary title of professor were conferred on the Uzbek president in recognition of his “exceptional contributions towards fostering strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and promoting peace and development in the region”.
PM Sharif also congratulated Mirziyoyev on being awarded the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civil honour, for his services and contributions to convert friendly relations into economic cooperation, trade, and investment in various sectors.
President Mirziyoyev, on a two-day official visit, said the outcomes of the day were historic and expressed his gratitude for the honours and recognition conferred upon him by Pakistani institutions, including an honorary doctorate and professorship from NUST University Islamabad and the Nishan-i-Pakistan award.
President Mirziyoyev expressed his sincere gratitude for “accepting us and welcoming us at such a high level”, noting that a lot was achieved within a short day.
“Especially, I would like to mention on the outset that the remarkable outcome of the day that I became a professor and doctor at the same time,” he quipped, adding that he would remember today as “a historic day” he would remember for the rest of his life.
“Today’s date I can actually mark in my calendar for my family, this is a remarkable historic day in which we received such a great honour in Pakistan, and I was also awarded the scientific level of professor and doctor,” the Uzbek president added.
Economic, trade, and connectivity
The agreements span several sectors, including defence, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mining, information technology, climate change, disaster risk reduction, and combating drug trafficking.
The leaders also highlighted efforts to operationalise the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) rail project, which Prime Minister Sharif called a “game changer” for regional connectivity.
PM Sharif added that the inaugural meeting of the high-level strategic cooperation council took place earlier today, adding, “This structured mechanism heralds a very bright future for both our brotherly countries and people”.
In 2023, Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a $1 billion trade deal.
During PM Sharif’s visit to Tashkent last month, the two sides agreed to expand bilateral trade to $2 billion while exploring further investment, connectivity, and tourism cooperation.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasised the creation of a working group to develop a five-year plan covering all areas of economic activity, with Pakistan’s Minister of State for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar representing Islamabad.
Both leaders also agreed to quarterly review meetings to assess the performance and progress of this arrangement.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regular high-level meetings to ensure the implementation of agreements.
Cultural and historical ties
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the centuries-old historical, spiritual, and cultural links between the two nations, tracing back to the Silk Route and intellectual exchanges between Samarkand, Bukhara, and the Mughal empire.
He praised Mirziyoyev’s leadership in advancing bilateral relations and transforming political friendship into tangible economic cooperation.
Welcome to PM Office
Earlier, PM Sharif welcomed President Mirziyoyev at the Prime Minister’s House.
Upon arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, an official Welcome Ceremony was held. The Welcome Ceremony was followed by one-on-one meeting and delegation-level talks between the two sides.
ازبکستان کے صدر شوکت مرزائیوف کا وزیراعظم ہاؤس آمد پر پرتپاک استقبال، وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے خیر مقدم کیا ،باضابطہ استقبالیہ تقریب ، مسلح افواج کے چاق و چوبند دستے نے گارڈ آف آنر پیش کیا۔ pic.twitter.com/TQFHbsOlwb
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 5, 2026
During the talks, leaders highlighted the positive trajectory of relations marked by common historical, religious and cultural affinities, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at Prime Minister's House. pic.twitter.com/N3kkBsuzVR
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 5, 2026
Their discussions covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with special focus on trade and investment, regional connectivity, education and cultural exchanges. Views were also exchanged on regional and global issues of mutual interest and concern.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing high-level interactions and regular meetings of the bilateral institutional mechanism in diverse sectors.
$2 billion bilateral trade
The two leaders also welcomed the operationalisation of the High-Level Strategic Consultative Council (HLSCC), which would enable effective implementation of the decisions taken by the leadership.
The HLSCC mechanism was established during the visit of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Tashkent in February 2025.
The two leaders also committed to make concerted efforts to implement the Roadmap agreed between the two sides in the follow-up of the Prime Minister’s visit to Tashkent.
On regional connectivity, the two leaders appreciated ongoing efforts to enhance road, rail, air and maritime cooperation.
Both sides agreed that the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project is the key driver of regional connectivity between Central Asia and Pakistani seaports.
Underlining the multidimensional cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the two leaders agreed to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of mining, energy, defence, tourism, education, and culture.
The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to enhance bilateral trade up to $2 Billion.
After the official talks, the two leaders unveiled the plaques of Tashkent Street and Babur Park in Islamabad.
Earlier upon arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, President Mirziyoyev was received by PM Sharif and Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari.
The visiting delegation received a 21-gun salute and a military band performance.
#Live: President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Islamabad https://t.co/hbvz6SFDIM
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 5, 2026
A post on the President Secretariat’s X account said: “A warm welcome to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan! President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz received the Uzbek president at Noor Khan Airbase today. This visit marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and regional connectivity.”
🇵🇰🇺🇿 A warm welcome to H.E. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan! President Asif Ali Zardari and PM @CMShehbaz received the @president_uz at Noor Khan Airbase today. This visit marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties and regional connectivity. pic.twitter.com/9F0o169Mm0
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 5, 2026
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that the visit reflects an upward trajectory in bilateral relations and the shared aspiration for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia.
🔊PR No.3️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan https://t.co/S1g2Llr1m2
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/X2p3Xi3669— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 4, 2026
Regional and global cooperation
PM Sharif and President Mirziyoyev underscored regional cooperation initiatives, including joint efforts under the Board of Peace, chaired by US President Donald Trump, to support peace and reconstruction in Gaza and a two-state solution for Palestine.
The visit marks Mirziyoyev’s second visit to Pakistan in four years and signals strengthened engagement in trade, investment, and regional connectivity.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
