ISLAMABAD – The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad hosted a high-profile Media Briefing Session today, bringing together prominent representatives from Pakistan’s leading media outlets, television, radio, and news agencies. The session aimed to highlight the remarkable progress and future potential of Uzbekistan-Pakistan bilateral relations across political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian domains.
Welcoming the participants, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan expressed his appreciation for the growing interest of Pakistani stakeholders in deepening ties with Uzbekistan. He emphasized that the session was not only an opportunity to inform but also to strengthen public understanding of the historic, cultural, and strategic ties binding the two nations.
Strategic Partnership Elevated
The Ambassador underscored the dynamic progress in political relations, citing the landmark visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan earlier this year. During the visit, both sides signed several crucial agreements, including the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Council—a pivotal step toward institutionalizing high-level bilateral cooperation.
Recent high-level engagements between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Sharif, including meetings during the ECO Summit and Inter-Parliamentary Union events, were cited as further evidence of deepening trust and shared vision.
Trans-Afghan Railway Gains Momentum
One of the key highlights was the trilateral Framework Agreement signed in Kabul by Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan for a joint feasibility study of the Trans-Afghan Railway Project. The railway, once completed, is expected to revolutionize regional trade and connectivity, linking Central and South Asia through a modern, strategic corridor.
Trade and Investment on the Rise
Bilateral trade has witnessed remarkable growth. Trade volume reached over $400 million in 2024, and surged to $253.7 million in the first half of 2025 alone—a 123% increase compared to the same period last year.
Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, supported by major exhibitions such as “Made in Uzbekistan – 2025” in Lahore and Karachi, and “Food Fest Uzbekistan – 2025” in Islamabad. These events led to business agreements totaling over $120 million.
Plans are underway to finalize a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and increase the number of items covered from 17 to 100, aiming to push total trade to $2 billion in the near future. Trade houses have been inaugurated in Lahore and Karachi to further facilitate commercial exchanges.
Boost in Banking and Logistics Ties
Representatives from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and key Uzbek commercial banks visited Pakistan in April, holding strategic meetings with counterparts at State Bank of Pakistan and leading commercial banks to enhance bilateral payment systems and streamline trade finance mechanisms.
Plans to form a trilateral transit trade agreement and establish a joint transport and logistics company are also underway, with Uzbekistan aiming to expand the use of Karachi and Gwadar ports to access global markets.
Growing Cultural and People-to-People Engagement
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation has seen a major boost with direct flights launched between Tashkent and Lahore, and now Islamabad. Uzbekistan has also relaxed visa policies for Pakistani citizens.
Several cultural and tourism promotional events were successfully held, including Uzbekistan’s active participation in Lok Mela 2024, Charity Bazaar, and academic engagements with Pakistani institutions. Youth exchanges, student programs, and forums on entrepreneurship are helping shape a shared future between the two nations.
A recent example of people-to-people exchange is the “Central Asia Tour 2025” by 16 Pakistani bikers traversing through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan—symbolizing the spirit of regional friendship.
Uzbekistan as a Destination for Trade, Investment, and Tourism
In his closing remarks, the Ambassador highlighted 10 key reasons why Uzbekistan should be seen as a top-tier partner for trade and investment. These include a business-friendly environment, attractive tax regimes, low utility costs, abundant resources, cultural linkages, and access to Central Asian markets.
He urged the Pakistani media and public to actively explore Uzbekistan as a strategic investment and tourism destination, and invited them to visit the country and build stronger ties with their Uzbek counterparts.
The Media Briefing concluded with a lively Q&A session, with journalists engaging directly with embassy officials on the next steps in Uzbekistan-Pakistan relations.
BY: The Times Union
