The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to deepen economic ties with Uzbekistan, signalling a broad-based push for cooperation across trade, energy, investment and regional connectivity
By Asghar Ali Mubarak/Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to raise bilateral trade to $2bn within the next five years. The agreement was formalized through a protocol on enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation, signed in Islamabad on Thursday evening by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Under the protocol, both sides will establish a joint working group to develop an action plan. The group will identify priority sectors for expanding trade and economic cooperation through mutual consultations. Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening economic ties with Uzbekistan across a range of sectors.
These include agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leather and footwear, tourism, and information technology. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was speaking at a joint press stakeout alongside President Mirziyoyev in Islamabad. He said the two countries had held the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
The prime minister described the mechanism as a structured framework that offered a promising future for both nations and their people. He said there was complete agreement that the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail project would be a game changer.
Shehbaz Sharif said the initiative would benefit not only the partner countries but the wider region. He added that Pakistan and Uzbekistan were both members of the Board of Peace. He expressed confidence that the two countries would contribute to lasting peace in Gaza and support its reconstruction.
The prime minister also thanked the Uzbek leadership for its support for the people of Kashmir in what he described as their just struggle. He extended his congratulations to President Mirziyoyev on being awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, President Mirziyoyev thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also expressed gratitude for being awarded an honorary doctorate and the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
The Uzbek president announced the establishment of a NUST chair at a mining university in Uzbekistan. He said the initiative would strengthen academic cooperation and promote research and scientific collaboration between students and institutions.
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