Pakistan, Uzbekistan rekindle vows to deepen strategic partnership

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have pledged to turn their strong political ties into concrete economic gains, setting a shared goal of reaching $2bn in two-way trade by 2029. According to Mettis Global, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave the assurance during talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Bishkek, on the sidelines of an SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also attended the talks.

Sharif stressed that agreements reached at the top must be carried out promptly, especially in commerce, investment, links and economic ties. He urged full use of the widened Preferential Trade Agreement, more engagement between businesses, and joint ventures that benefit both sides. Regional links also featured prominently, with the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway presented as a route connecting Central and South Asia and giving Uzbekistan access to Pakistani ports.

Talks also touched on industry, farming, medicines, textiles, minerals, digital tools, education, culture, defence and security, plus progress on direct Tashkent-Karachi flights. Sharif thanked Uzbekistan for supporting Pakistan's coming stint as chair of the SCO heads of state council and wished to cooperate closely on regional security and trade. Sharif recalled the February 2026 state visit to Pakistan by President Mirziyoyev and said that, together with the first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council session, it had energised the relationship.