BRUSSELS/BISHKEK, (Unib Rashid) – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, with the two leaders discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation, trade, investment and regional connectivity.

The Prime Minister conveyed his warm felicitations to President Mirziyoyev and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence.

Recalling President Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Pakistan in February 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted that the visit, along with the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, had provided fresh momentum to the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting in Bishkek.

Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Commerce, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Communications… pic.twitter.com/HN5evMrSAr

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 31, 2026

He reiterated the shared objective of increasing bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan to US$2 billion by 2029 and emphasized effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, enhanced business-to-business engagement and the promotion of mutually beneficial joint ventures.

Highlighting regional connectivity as a shared strategic priority, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the transformative potential of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway project, which, he said, could play a significant role in linking Central and South Asia and facilitating Uzbekistan’s access to Pakistan’s seaports.

He emphasized the need for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater utilization of existing multimodal transport corridors. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure.

The two sides discussed further strengthening cooperation in a range of sectors, including industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence and security.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also supported enhanced air connectivity between the two countries, including progress towards establishing direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi.

The Prime Minister appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s forthcoming chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State and expressed Pakistan’s desire to work closely with Uzbekistan on regional security, connectivity, trade and sustainable development.

He also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries through the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other multilateral forums.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its Strategic Partnership with Uzbekistan and translating the strong political relationship between the two countries into tangible economic benefits for their peoples.

Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar were also present during the meeting.