ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment and regional connectivity.
President Mirziyoyev landed at Islamabad’s Nur Khan Airbase, where he was accorded a red-carpet welcome.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the Uzbek leader on arrival, according to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
A 21-gun salute was fired in his honour, while a contingent of the Pakistan armed forces presented a guard of honour.
Children dressed in traditional attire welcomed the visiting president and waved the national flags of Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the statement said.
Mirziyoyev is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and business leaders, the PM Office press release added.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday arrived here to a red carpet welcome for a two-day state visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
As the Uzbek president, accompanied by a high-level delegation… pic.twitter.com/6hivnSsRJO
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 5, 2026
High-level meetings
During his visit, the Uzbek President is scheduled to meet President Zardari and hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Sharif.
He will also address the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Business Forum, according to the Foreign Office.
The talks will focus on reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral relations and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Key sectors on the agenda include trade, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity, officials said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Wednesday said the visit aims to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen links between Central and South Asia.
Trade and connectivity
The visit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries.
Earlier this week, Pakistan and Uzbekistan held the 10th session of their Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in Islamabad.
At the meeting, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment and connectivity.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to expediting institutional mechanisms to achieve a mutually agreed target of $2 billion in bilateral trade, officials said.
Growing bilateral ties
This is Mirziyoyev’s second visit to Pakistan.
🔊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
Officials from both countries say it reflects the steady upward trajectory of bilateral relations, driven by high-level political engagement and expanding economic cooperation.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have also increased collaboration in regional and international forums in recent years, positioning their partnership as a bridge between Central and South Asia.
