A joint declaration outlining the outcomes of the state visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan has been issued by the Foreign Office, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations between the two countries. President Mirziyoyev paid a state visit to Pakistan on February 5 and 6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with both leaders holding wide-ranging discussions aimed at further strengthening their strategic partnership.
During their meetings, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Mirziyoyev reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations and explored avenues to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and social domains. Both leaders emphasized the central role of economic collaboration in reinforcing bilateral ties, noting that Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian country with which Pakistan signed both a Transit Trade Agreement and a Preferential Trade Agreement. They welcomed the steady growth in bilateral trade and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the mutually agreed target of USD 2 billion in trade by 2029.
The two sides reiterated their resolve to expand trade, economic engagement, and industrial cooperation to unlock the true economic potential of both countries and improve the well-being of their people. They agreed to comprehensively strengthen cooperation based on mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, while aligning development efforts with long-term national interests. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, including peace and security, connectivity, trade, tourism, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved over the 34 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, highlighting the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual bonds linking the two nations. They noted the positive trajectory of high-level engagement, recalling the Pakistani prime minister’s visit to Uzbekistan in February 2025, their interaction at the 17th ECO Summit in July 2025, and subsequent telephonic contacts. The leaders committed to maintaining regular political dialogue at all levels.
A major highlight of the visit was the reaffirmation of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established in February 2025, which provides top-level guidance on bilateral cooperation. The inaugural meeting of the council was held during President Mirziyoyev’s visit, enabling both sides to review progress and take key decisions to advance collaboration. The leaders also underscored the importance of parliamentary cooperation and welcomed frequent exchanges between legislative bodies, including recent visits by senior parliamentary leaders.
Connectivity emerged as a core theme, with both sides welcoming progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project. They reaffirmed their commitment to the early completion of the project, endorsed the Termiz-Kharlachi route, and agreed to jointly finance the feasibility study. Pakistan reiterated its readiness to provide access to its seaports and road network to facilitate Uzbek transit trade. The leaders also emphasized the importance of the multimodal transport agreement signed in September 2024 to enhance regional integration.
The declaration also highlighted agreements to establish joint management of industrial zones, expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, minerals, engineering goods, and e-commerce, and diversify trade corridors. Cultural and educational cooperation featured prominently, with commitments to heritage preservation, academic exchanges, media collaboration, tourism promotion, and people-to-people contact. Both sides welcomed agreements related to the Baburid heritage and expressed support for deeper cooperation in higher education and research.
On security and defence, the leaders agreed to maintain regular dialogue, expand joint military exercises, and enhance cooperation between law enforcement agencies, particularly in countering terrorism, extremism, separatism, and drug trafficking. At the multilateral level, both sides reaffirmed support for the United Nations, coordination within the SCO and ECO, and mutual backing for international candidatures. They also exchanged views on regional stability, including Afghanistan and Palestine, underscoring their shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and international law.
President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Pakistan and invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Uzbekistan, an invitation that was accepted. Both sides concluded that the agreements and understandings reached during the visit would further elevate Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations and strengthen their long-term strategic partnership.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.