Leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan discussed ways to enhance their strategic partnership.
The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif, held talks in a narrow format with the participation of official delegations.
The presidential press service reported the successful holding of the Intergovernmental Commission meeting, business forums, and the national industrial exhibition of Uzbekistan. The discussions centered on expanding trade and economic cooperation and measures to increase the trade turnover to 2 billion dollars. A decision was made to develop and approve a joint "roadmap" for the implementation of the agreements reached and signed.
To stimulate business and cultural contacts between the regions, the head of our state proposed to hold a Forum of the Regions of both countries in Uzbekistan.
The volume of cargo transportation through the "Uzbekistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan" corridor has increased fivefold. They agreed to establish a joint transport and logistics company and coordinate efforts to construct the Trans-Afghan railway. The meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission will take place in July in Lahore.
They also exchanged views on current international and regional agendas. The importance of continuing mutual support within the framework of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the OIC, the SCO, and others was emphasized.
To develop new directions for cooperation, the establishment of a Supreme Council for Strategic Partnership was agreed upon, with the first meeting scheduled for next year.
In 2024, trade turnover exceeded 400 million dollars, and the number of joint ventures reached 130. Trade houses have been opened in Karachi and Tashkent. Direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore have been resumed.