Pakistan and Uzbekistan Strengthen Ties, Focus on Trade and Regional Connectivity

Islamabad, In a significant meeting today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar hosted his Uzbek counterpart, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, who is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions between the two ministers were anchored in the deep cultural, historical, and civilizational ties that both nations share, forming a strong foundation for a robust partnership across various sectors. The talks were productive, with both sides expressing satisfaction over their close security and defense cooperation and robust engagement at international forums such as the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

A major focal point of their dialogue was the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railways project, which both sides agreed to prioritize for early implementation. This project is expected to significantly boost bilateral and regional trade and serve as a critical link between South and Central Asia.

The ministers also reviewed the progress in economic cooperation, trade, investment, and connectivity. Following the operationalization of the Transit Trade Agreement, bilateral trade has seen a substantial increase, growing 1.4 times over the past year. They noted the potential for reaching and possibly exceeding trade targets set during the last Inter-Governmental Commission meeting held in Tashkent in February 2023. Additionally, they agreed to explore new areas of economic cooperation and stressed the importance of a liberal visa regime to facilitate business interactions and strengthen people-to-people contacts.