Pak, Uzbek Eye $2bn Trade Target During Mirziyoyev Visit

News Desk 

Islamabad: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Pakistan on Thursday on a two-day official visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.

The Uzbek president was accorded a red-carpet welcome on arrival at Nur Khan Air Base, where President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received him. The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

President Mirziyoyev is accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising senior cabinet ministers, business leaders and other high-ranking officials. During his stay, he will hold one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum.

Discussions will focus on reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and identifying new avenues to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. Both sides are also expected to sign agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Later, President Mirziyoyev was accorded a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House, where the national anthems of Pakistan and Uzbekistan were played. A smartly turned-out contingent of the three services of the Pakistan Armed Forces presented the guard of honour, which the visiting dignitary reviewed.

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The two leaders introduced their respective delegations before proceeding to a one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level talks.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also called on President Mirziyoyev, conveying warm greetings from the leadership and people of Pakistan.

He reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its cordial relations with Uzbekistan and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening and diversifying their longstanding brotherly ties.

This marks President Mirziyoyev’s second visit to Pakistan, reflecting the upward trajectory of bilateral relations rooted in shared history, faith and common aspirations for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia.

During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Tashkent in February last year, Pakistan and Uzbekistan pledged to increase bilateral trade from $400 million to $2 billion, while exploring cooperation in investment, connectivity and tourism. 

Both leaders also underscored the importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, aimed at linking Central Asia with South Asia, which Prime Minister Shehbaz described as a “game changer” for regional trade and connectivity.