ISLAMABAD: Pakistan committed to providing landlocked Uzbekistan access to its warm water seaports during a two-day state visit by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to a joint declaration issued by the Foreign Office on Friday.
The Uzbek president and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks covering bilateral relations and regional security issues during the February 5-6 state visit.
Pakistan pledged to make available its seaports for Uzbek transit cargo and provide access to its road network for trade and transit requirements. It aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration between the two countries.
The leaders also pledged to support each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity while advancing cooperation in areas including trade, culture and defense.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with relations developed over 34 years since establishing diplomatic ties, citing shared historical and cultural bonds.
The visit marked the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established during PM Sharif's February 2025 visit to Uzbekistan. The mechanism provides top-level oversight of bilateral cooperation.
Trade and connectivity
The leaders agreed to reach a $2 billion bilateral trade target by 2029. Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian nation to sign transit and preferential trade agreements with Pakistan, according to the statement.
Both countries welcomed the Framework Agreement signed in July 2025 for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project, endorsing the Termiz-Kharlachi route. They committed to completing the project's feasibility study.
The sides agreed to establish joint management of economic zones in both countries to facilitate industrial cooperation and exports to third markets, including the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe.
Cultural and defense cooperation
The leaders signed an agreement on preserving and promoting the scientific, educational and architectural heritage of the Baburid dynasty.
They agreed to expand tourism cooperation through direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and Lahore, and to activate a Tourism Working Group.
Both nations expressed readiness to maintain dialogue on security and defense, agreeing to continue joint military exercises and training programs.
They pledged cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug trafficking.
Regional issues
According to the statement, the two leaders called on Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist organizations operating from its territory, citing regional security concerns and the importance of stability for the railway project's implementation.
Both sides expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.
Uzbekistan voiced support for Pakistan's rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027 and congratulated Pakistan on chairing the organization's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for 2025-2026 and the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027.
Meanwhile, Pakistan commended Uzbekistan for hosting the 43rd UNESCO General Conference session in Samarkand in 2025.
Both nations pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, security and regional connectivity.
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