ASTANA: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the SCO Summit being held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the multifaceted relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
They emphasized expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, defence, security, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
Recognizing Uzbekistan’s strategic role as a transit hub for regional trade, they agreed to explore various options to enhance trade facilitation. They specifically discussed improving Karachi Port connectivity to Tirmez to bolster bilateral trade.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in promoting prosperity in Central Asia and advancing regional connectivity initiatives.
The leaders expressed optimism that implementing the Preferential Trade Agreement and Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement would significantly boost bilateral trade and economic ties.
They also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, underscoring their mutual desire for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan that contributes to regional development and prosperity.
They discussed the early implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project as part of regional connectivity efforts.
Earlier today, Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest.
PM Shehbaz emphasized the need to overcome financial and other banking issues to expand barter trade between Pakistan and Russia, Radio Pakistan reported.
He said Pakistan has long business relations with Russia. He recalled that Pakistan used to import a lot of machinery and goods from erstwhile Soviet Russia and export textile and leather goods under barter.
PM Shehbaz further said the two countries can certainly enhance trade, which is at the moment, touching one billion dollars. He also commended President Putin for promoting cooperation in the field of energy at his request. He added Pakistan has received a shipment of oil from Russia and there is a need to further move in this direction.
The Prime Minister is currently in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana to attend the twin Summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State and SCO Plus.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Astana after visiting Dushanbe. At the SCO Council of Heads of Summit Meeting, Shehbaz Sharif will share Pakistan’s perspective on key regional and global issues and underline the importance Pakistan accords to regional connectivity and cooperation with SCO member nations.
Shehbaz Sharif will also address the SCO Plus Summit and highlight the nation’s position on significant regional and global issues. The PM will hold meetings with participating leaders on the sidelines of the Summit.
