Pakistan, Uzbekistan reaffirm $2 billion trade goal by 2029

Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to what they described as a qualitatively new level after high-level talks in Islamabad, according to a joint declaration issued Friday.

The agreement followed a state visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan from Feb. 5–6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The two leaders held what the declaration described as comprehensive discussions on political, economic, security, cultural and people-to-people cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.

Both sides reiterated commitments to mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to long-term sustainable development, the declaration said.

The leaders noted the positive trajectory of bilateral ties since Pakistan and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations 34 years ago, citing frequent high-level exchanges and expanded political dialogue.

They welcomed the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, describing it as a milestone mechanism to guide and monitor cooperation at the leadership level.

Trade and connectivity

Economic cooperation featured prominently, with both sides reaffirming a target of $2 billion in bilateral trade by 2029, according to the joint declaration.

They welcomed progress on expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement, finalizing a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and exploring alignment of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and mutual recognition of standards.

Connectivity was identified as a key driver of regional integration. The leaders underscored the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.

They welcomed the signing of the project’s framework agreement and endorsement of the Termiz–Kharlachi route, and agreed to jointly finance its feasibility study, the declaration said.

Pakistan reiterated its readiness to provide Uzbekistan access to its seaports and international-standard road network to facilitate regional transit trade.

Culture, education and tourism

The two countries pledged to deepen cooperation in culture, heritage preservation and education, citing historical ties linked to the Silk Road.

They welcomed agreements related to the preservation of Baburid heritage and agreed to expand academic exchanges and research collaboration.

The leaders also noted growing cooperation between national media organizations, including joint productions and journalist exchanges, and agreed to further collaboration in broadcasting and film production.

They welcomed improved air connectivity, including direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and between Tashkent and Lahore, and expressed optimism about expanding tourism cooperation through joint promotion and private-sector partnerships.

Security and regional issues

Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense, counterterrorism and law enforcement, particularly against terrorism, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking.

They stressed the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and called on Afghan authorities to take concrete measures against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.

At the multilateral level, both sides reaffirmed commitment to the United Nations Charter and pledged mutual support at international forums.

Uzbekistan congratulated Pakistan on its role as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council for 2025–26 and expressed support for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanships of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Both countries reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.

Mirziyoyev thanked Pakistan for what the declaration described as warm hospitality and invited Sharif to visit Uzbekistan. The invitation was accepted.

The joint declaration was signed in Islamabad on Feb. 6 in Uzbek and English.