Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Uzbekistan on Tuesday at an official two -day visit to improve bilateral relations with the country of Central Asia.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have strengthened ties through commercial and economic cooperation. A $ 1 billion commercial agreement was signed in 2023, and plans for additional collaboration, including a road map for industrial cooperation, show the commitment of the two parties to boost regional connectivity.
Last month, Uzbekistan ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtayev, had announced the plan of his government to introduce a new direct flight route between Tashkent and Karachi this year, describing it as a “significant step to foster the closest ties between The two nations “.
Upon his arrival in the capital of Tashkent, the prime minister was received by Uzbekistan Prime Minister, Abdulla Nigmatovich Aipov, state property Pakistan radio reported today.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is visiting the country at the official invitation of Uzbekistan’s president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
“The prime minister and president of Uzbekistan, during his meeting, will discuss all bilateral cooperation areas, including connectivity, economic cooperation, trade, investment, energy, defense and security, regional stability and education “The report said.
In addition, he said that the prime minister was ready to address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan business forum, where entrepreneurs from both countries would be present, to improve bilateral ties.
During the visit, several memoranda (MOU) and agreements between the two countries, according to the report, was expected to be signed.
Earlier this month, Ambassador Tukhtayev had met with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he emphasized that Uzbekos investors were eager to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in Baluchistan.
In May of last year, the foreign ministers of both countries gathered, underlining their countries’ commitment to the rapid completion of a planned railway bond that Afghanistan crossed.
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has grown substantially in recent years, from $ 27 million in 2019-20 to $ 126 million in 2022-23.
Prime Minister Shehbaz was recently on an official two -day visit to Azerbaijan, where he and President Ilham Aliyev finished issues related to $ 2 billion of Baku investments in Pakistan.
