Uzbekistan President Mirziyoyev lands in Islamabad for two-day visit

Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday signed a pact to ramp bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next five years on the occasion of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s two-day state visit to the country.

They also signed 28 memoranda of understanding (MoU) and agreements after the Uzbek president arrived in Islamabad earlier today. The MoUs and agreements were signed in a ceremony attended by the Uzbek president and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with various senior officials present from both sides.

State-owned media outlet Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the 28 MoUs and agreements were in the areas of cooperation, such as on trade, commerce, defence, agriculture, sports, mining, geosciences, anti-narcotics, information technology, maritime trade, pharmaceuticals, education and textiles.

Earlier, Radio Pakistan reported that the 29 MoUs and agreements were in various areas.

Speaking after the signing, PM Shehbaz said the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project would prove to be a “game changer” for the entire region, adding that Islamabad would work closely with Tashkent to enhance regional connectivity.

He assured the Uzbek president that Pakistan would cooperate closely with Uzbekistan to promote regional connectivity.

The prime minister also offered Pakistan’s support in jointly raising funds for the project based on its feasibility study and business plan.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum of high-level exchanges and the regular meetings of bilateral institutional mechanisms across a range of sectors.

They also welcomed the operationalisation of the High-Level Strategic Consultative Council (HLSCC), noting that it would facilitate the effective implementation of decisions taken by the leadership. The HLSCC was established during PM Shehbaz’s visit to Tashkent in February 2025.

Both sides committed to making concerted efforts to implement the roadmap agreed upon during the prime minister’s visit.

Following the official talks, the two leaders jointly unveiled plaques for Tashkent Street and Babur Park in Islamabad.

At the agreements and memoranda of understanding signing and exchange ceremony, the two leaders signed the Joint Declaration on the outcomes of the Uzbek president’s state visit to Pakistan.

In recognition of President Mirziyoyev’s contributions to strengthening Pakistan-Uzbekistan bilateral relations and his efforts to promote peace and development in the region, the premier conferred upon him an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy and the title of Honorary Professor of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).

In their remarks to the media, the two leaders expressed confidence that the agreements and the joint declaration would open new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Shehbaz congratulated Uzbek President on being conferred Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, describing him as the “most suitable person” for the honour in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting economic cooperation.

The prime minister said the award reflected President Mirziyoyev’s services in deepening brotherly relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and his commitment to expanding trade and investment across multiple sectors.

Highlighting the historical depth of bilateral ties, he said Pakistan and Uzbekistan shared centuries-old spiritual, cultural and civilisational links, rooted in the ancient Silk Route while noting that the Mughal legacy originating from the Fergana Valley and the scholars of Samarkand had left a lasting imprint on Pakistan’s history.

“These historical facts provide a sound foundation for strong ties,” he said, expressing gratitude for the Uzbek leadership’s vision and resolve to elevate bilateral relations.

Recalling his visit to Uzbekistan in February last year, the premier said the warmth and hospitality extended by the Uzbek leadership remained fresh in his memory. Referring to the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, he said the structured mechanism would significantly enhance bilateral engagement.

Calling President Mirziyoyev a “man of action”, the prime minister said the signing of bilateral protocols demonstrated a shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation in agriculture, industry, tourism, information technology, textiles and pharmaceuticals.

He announced the formation of a joint working group to chart a five-year roadmap for boosting trade and business activity, with Pakistan’s side to be led by Haroon Akhtar. “We also agreed to hold quarterly meetings to review progress and performance of the working group,” he said, adding that both leaders would chair the meetings during future bilateral visits.

Referring to global issues, he said Uzbekistan was a member of the Board of Peace and, under the chairmanship of US President Donald Trump, would work alongside other countries for lasting peace in Palestine and the reconstruction of Gaza. “The resolution of the issues of Kashmir and Palestine is imperative for lasting peace,” PM Shehbaz stressed.

In his remarks, President Mirziyoyev thanked the NUST for conferring upon him an honorary doctorate and professorship, calling it a historic and memorable occasion. He also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended by Pakistan.

He announced that, in recognition of the honour, a NUST chair would be established at the University of Mining in Uzbekistan, with both institutions collaborating on scientific research, training scholars, startups and business initiatives. He said cooperation between universities would include faculty and student exchanges and joint research in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other scientific fields.

President Mirziyoyev said he accepted the Nishan-e-Pakistan with “profound gratitude”, noting that the award symbolised the expanding scope of bilateral relations and Pakistan’s respect for the Uzbek people.

He said detailed discussions during the visit covered security, defence, political cooperation, trade and investment, adding that the establishment of the high-level council and working groups marked a major step forward.

The president thanked PM Shehbaz for the hospitality extended during his visit and invited him to attend the next round of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Tashkent next year.

Describing Pakistan as a rapidly developing country and a reliable partner, the Uzbek president said Islamabad was Uzbekistan’s closest friend in South Asia. He welcomed the decision to name a road in Islamabad as Tashkent Street and thanked the prime minister for accepting the proposal to build Babur Park in Islamabad and Fergana.

He said both parks would serve as symbols of friendship and spaces for families to learn about the close ties between the two nations.

Earlier, upon arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz welcomed the Uzbek president. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan were also present.

Pakistan Air Force fighter jets accorded a ceremonial aerial salute to Uzbekistan’s president as he entered Pakistani airspace, in a gesture reflecting the close bilateral ties between the two countries.

Following his arrival, President Mirziyoyev proceeded to the Prime Minister’s House, where he was received by PM Shehbaz. A guard of honour was presented, and the national anthems of Pakistan and Uzbekistan were played to mark the occasion, underscoring the strengthening partnership between Islamabad and Tashkent.

Later, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the president of Uzbekistan and conveyed the warm greetings of the nation to him.

He underscored the importance Pakistan attached to its cordial relations with Uzbekistan and expressed confidence that the presidential visit would help further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening and diversifying the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and agreed to continue working closely to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

Radio Pakistan also reported that the Uzbek president visited the Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS), where he was welcomed by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The president was briefed on GIDS’ diverse portfolio encompassing advanced defence solutions, industrial capabilities and technological innovations.

The report said the delegation toured key facilities and witnessed various defence products reflecting “Pakistan’s growing expertise in indigenous defence production and industrial development”.

It said the visit underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan and Uzbekistan to deepen collaboration in defence, technology and industrial sectors.

“Both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint ventures. The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and exploring multifarious avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan,” the report said.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Uzbek president is expected to hold meetings with President Zardari, hold delegation-level talks with PM Shehbaz, and address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum during his stay.

“Discussions will focus on reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations and identifying new avenues to further deepen cooperation in diverse sectors, including trade, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchange and regional connectivity,” the Foreign Office (FO) said.

He will lead a high-level delegation, comprising senior ministers and business leaders,

The FO said it would be his second visit to Pakistan, reflecting the “upward trajectory” in Pak-Uzbek bilateral relations and the brotherly ties between the two countries that were rooted in common history, faith, and “common aspirations for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia”.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy strong diplomatic and economic relations, with the leaders of both countries frequently visiting each other to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Read: Uzbek president to arrive in Pakistan tomorrow for two-day visit

Earlier this week, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to accelerate efforts to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion as the 10th session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation concluded in Islamabad.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over steady progress in bilateral engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade, investment, and economic cooperation. They underscored the importance of the preferential trade agreement, welcomed progress under Phase-II concessions, and agreed to expedite institutional mechanisms to achieve the $2b trade target.

The discussions emphasised trade facilitation, logistics improvement, customs digitalisation, transit trade cooperation, development of regional trade corridors and enhanced business-to-business engagement, alongside improved visa facilitation for business communities.