Tashkent, February 25, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Uzbekistan on Tuesday for a two-day official visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation between the two nations.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened ties in recent years, particularly in trade and economic collaboration. A landmark $1 billion trade deal was signed in 2023, and both sides have expressed commitment to furthering industrial cooperation and regional connectivity. Plans for a new direct flight route between Tashkent and Karachi, announced by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtayev last month, are seen as a step toward fostering closer ties.
Upon his arrival in Tashkent, PM Shehbaz was warmly received by Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov. Also present at the airport were Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Tashkent’s Mayor Shavkat Umurzakov, Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Takhitayev, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ahmed Farooq, and senior diplomatic and government officials.
Expressing gratitude for the grand reception, PM Shehbaz shared his thoughts on social media platform X: “Wheels down in Uzbekistan. Deeply touched by the warm welcome from my dear brother Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov. Uzbekistan, the crown of Central Asia, breathes history through its ancient cities, timeless art, and magnificent architecture. Looking forward to engagements that will further strengthen our bonds of friendship through trade, investment, and mutual cooperation.”
A smartly turned-out contingent of the Uzbek armed forces presented a static salute to the visiting premier.
During the visit, PM Shehbaz will hold a high-level meeting with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, regional stability, and education. The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
The prime minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and senior cabinet members.
As part of his engagements, PM Shehbaz will visit the Independence Monument in Tashkent, where he will lay a wreath to honor Uzbekistan’s historical figures. He will also receive a briefing on the monument’s intricate woodwork, which illustrates Uzbekistan’s 3,000-year history.
Several key economic initiatives are expected during the visit. The Foreign Office has indicated that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are set to sign multiple bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs).
PM Shehbaz will also address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum, where leading businessmen from both countries will hold B2B meetings to explore new trade opportunities and enhance economic ties.
The visit reflects Pakistan’s strategic vision for regional integration and economic prosperity, underscoring its commitment to expanding collaboration with Uzbekistan. “Pakistan and Uzbekistan are bound by common history, culture, religion, and a shared aspiration for peace and development,” the Foreign Office stated.
Economic relations between the two nations have witnessed significant growth in recent years. Bilateral trade surged from $27 million in 2019-20 to $126 million in 2022-23. The planned railway link between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, traversing Afghanistan, remains a key project under discussion to enhance regional connectivity.
Earlier this month, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Tukhtayev met with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighting Uzbek investors’ interest in exploring opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.
PM Shehbaz’s visit to Uzbekistan comes shortly after his two-day official trip to Azerbaijan, where he and President Ilham Aliyev finalized agreements for $2 billion in investments from Baku into Pakistan.
With economic collaboration at the heart of his Uzbekistan visit, PM Shehbaz aims to further Pakistan’s trade and investment ties with Central Asia, positioning the country as a key player in regional economic development.
