Islamabad, In a meeting that underscored the deep historical and cultural ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar hosted Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, who is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions revolved around enhancing bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic cooperation, trade, investment, and connectivity. Both sides expressed satisfaction with their security and defense cooperation and their active participation in international forums like the UN, SCO, and OIC.

A major topic was the early implementation of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railways project, anticipated to significantly boost regional trade and connectivity. Following the recent operationalization of the Transit Trade Agreement, bilateral trade has increased significantly and is expected to meet targets set during the last Inter-Governmental Commission meeting in Tashkent. The ministers also discussed expanding economic cooperation further and emphasized the importance of a liberal visa regime to facilitate business interactions and cultural exchanges.