Uzbekistan, Pakistan establish Strategic Partnership Council

Leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan has agreed to establish a Supreme Council of Strategic Partnership and hold its first meeting next year. Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to Uzbekistan after his two-day talks in Azerbaijan.

On 26th February, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif held negotiations in Tashkent.  

The parties signed a joint declaration and a protocol on the establishment of a Bilateral Strategic Partnership Council at the highest level, aimed at "further developing and strengthening Uzbek-Pakistani relations through multifaceted cooperation," according to the statement.

"The visit underscored the deep-rooted, historic, and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and reaffirmed the commitment of the leadership of both countries to further strengthen bilateral cooperation," - said today's statement of Prime Minister's Office.

Both parties shared their perspectives on improving collaboration across various sectors, such as trade, connectivity, culture, and exchanges between people. The discussions emphasized the advancement of regional connectivity via the trans-Afghan railway and trade corridors.

Mirziyoyev and Sharif also participated in the Uzbek-Pakistani business-forum.

In his speech, Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trade partner in Central Asia.  

Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Pakistan grew from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023. In 2024, the trade turnover exceeded $400 million and the number of joint enterprises reached 130. 

Over the past few years the volume of cargo transportation through the multimodal corridor “Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan” has increased fivefold. 

“Having huge potential, our economies can effectively complement each other,” said the Uzbek president.

He mentioned the beginning of construction of a railway connecting China with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, adding that in the future, this strategic railway may have a link to the ports of Pakistan, which will significantly increase mutual trade and investment. 

Uzbek and Pakistani companies consider cooperation in pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, agrarian sector, agricultural machinery, geology and mineral resources, textile, leather and other industries.

The parties agreed to increase trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Pakistan to $2 billion and to establish a joint transport and logistics company.

Uzbekistan's government portal reported that following documents were signed during the visit in the presence of the two leaders:

- Agreement on cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovations;

- Agreement on visa-free travels of holders of diplomatic passports;

- Agreement on cooperation between the Ministries of Interior;

- Agreement on cooperation in the field of vocational education;

- Agreement on cooperation in the field of youth policy;

- Agreement on cooperation between national information agencies;

- cooperation agreements and arrangements between diplomatic academies, the cities of Tashkent and Lahore.

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