Bishkek: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to strengthen Pakistan’s Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan, focusing on converting political relationships into economic benefits. This was articulated during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Kyrgyzstan.

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of implementing leadership-level decisions in areas such as trade, investment, and connectivity. The leaders reiterated their goal of increasing bilateral trade to two billion dollars by 2029 and discussed the execution of an expanded Preferential Trade Agreement and business collaborations.

Regional connectivity was presented as a strategic priority, with Prime Minister Sharif highlighting the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway’s potential to enhance links between Central and South Asia. Discussions included the advancement of a Joint Feasibility Study and the utilization of existing transport corridors. Pakistan expressed readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports.

The meeting also covered cooperation in industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and digital technologies. The Prime Minister supported direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi to boost air connectivity.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed intentions to collaborate on regional security and sustainable development. He extended congratulations to Uzbekistan on its 35th independence anniversary and recalled President Mirziyoyev’s 2026 visit to Pakistan, which energized the bilateral partnership.

Accompanying Prime Minister Sharif were Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar.