Uzbekistan-Pakistan Ties Enter New Strategic Phase: Uzbek Envoy Alisher Briefs Media in Islamabad
Islamabad – 7 August 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan hosted a Media Briefing Session to highlight the growing multidimensional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, with Uzbek Ambassador warmly welcoming leading figures from Pakistan’s media, television, and news agencies.
The Ambassador briefed attendees on the significant progress made in bilateral relations, driven by the strong political will and mutual understanding of the leadership of both countries. The partnership, grounded in shared culture, religion, and history, is expanding in political, economic, educational, tourism, transport, and people-to-people domains.
High-Level Political Engagement
The Uzbek Ambassador noted the importance of the official visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan on 25–26 February 2025, which marked a milestone in bilateral relations. Key agreements signed during the visit included cooperation in science and technology, diplomatic visa-free travel, vocational education, youth policy, and media collaboration.
A landmark outcome was the signing of a Joint Declaration and Protocol on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership Council by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signaling a new strategic phase in relations.
Subsequent high-level engagements were held on the sidelines of the ECO Summit in Khankendi (4 July) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 150th Anniversary (7 April). In addition, Foreign Ministers from both countries signed a Joint Action Plan on 21 June 2025 during the OIC meeting in Istanbul to accelerate implementation of previously signed agreements.
On 17 July 2025 in Kabul, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan signed a Framework Agreement for a Joint Feasibility Study on the Trans-Afghan railway project, aimed at boosting regional trade and connectivity.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Uzbekistan’s economic indicators for 2024 were highlighted: GDP at $115.6 billion, foreign trade turnover of $65.9 billion, and $34.8 billion in foreign direct investment. Bilateral trade exceeded $400 million in 2024, with 130 Pakistani joint ventures now operating in Uzbekistan.
In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade surged to $253.7 million—a 123% increase compared to the same period last year. Uzbekistan is now Pakistan’s top trading partner in Central Asia.
To further expand trade:
A target of $2 billion in bilateral trade has been set.
Major exhibitions were held in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi under the “Made in Uzbekistan – 2025” and “Food Fest Uzbekistan – 2025” banners, resulting in trade deals worth over $120 million.
Uzbekistan-Pakistan Trade Houses opened in Lahore (February) and Karachi (May).
Uzbek banking delegation visited Karachi in April to discuss bilateral payment mechanisms with leading Pakistani banks.
A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is being finalized, with goods coverage to expand from 17 to 100 items.
Both sides aim to form a trilateral transit trade agreement and establish a joint transport and logistics company.
Uzbekistan plans to use Karachi and Gwadar ports as strategic trade gateways.
Cultural and Humanitarian Ties
Uzbekistan has eased its visa regime and launched direct flights from Tashkent to Lahore and Islamabad to promote tourism and exchanges.
Key events included:
Pakistani delegation’s participation in the Youth and Sports Policy Conference (Oct 2024, Uzbekistan).
Uzbekistan’s presence at “Lok Mela” Festival (Nov 2024) and Charity Bazaar (Dec 2024) in Islamabad.
A grand cultural event with the Silk Road Cultural Center and Nowruz celebrations in Islamabad (March 2025).
Namangan State University delegation’s visit to Lahore in February 2025.
Tourism promotion events led by Uzbek Tourism Committee in April 2025 in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
High-level exchanges continued in 2025:
Pakistani Ministers participated in major Uzbek forums: Samarkand Climate Forum, Samarkand Cultural Capital events, Tashkent Law Forum, and the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Young Entrepreneurs Forum.
A group of 16 Pakistani bikers embarked on the “Central Asia Tour 2025” from Islamabad on 1 August, covering Uzbekistan and neighboring states.
Investment and Trade Opportunities
The Ambassador outlined ten key reasons to engage economically with Uzbekistan, including a business-friendly environment, attractive tax regime, low utility costs, abundant natural resources, and access to strategic markets in Central Asia.
In his closing, the Ambassador encouraged Pakistani media to widely share information about Uzbekistan’s trade and tourism potential and invited more Pakistanis to visit and explore opportunities in the country.
The media briefing concluded with a Questions & Answer session, followed by a networking opportunity over a lavish spread of Uzbek cuisine served to the journalists.
