The understanding was reached during a meeting between the two leaders in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Kyrgyzstan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the strong political relationship between the two countries should be translated into concrete economic gains for their people. He stressed the need for timely implementation of decisions taken at the leadership level, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation.
The prime minister called for effective implementation of the expanded Preferential Trade Agreement, greater business-to-business engagement and the development of mutually beneficial joint ventures between Pakistani and Uzbek companies.
Highlighting regional connectivity as a shared strategic priority, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway, describing its potential to strengthen links between Central and South Asia and provide Uzbekistan with access to Pakistani seaports.
He called for early progress on the Joint Feasibility Study and greater utilization of existing multimodal transport corridors to facilitate the movement of goods and strengthen regional trade.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to facilitate Uzbek trade through its ports and transport infrastructure, emphasizing the country’s potential role as a gateway for Central Asian states to international markets.
The two leaders discussed further strengthening cooperation across several sectors, including industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, digital technologies, education, culture, defence and security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also supported enhanced air connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, including progress towards establishing direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi. He noted that improved air links could contribute to stronger business, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
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 through the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other multilateral forums
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm felicitations to President Mirziyoyev and the people of Uzbekistan on the country’s 35th anniversary of independence.
Recalling President Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Pakistan in February 2026, the prime minister said the visit and the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council had provided fresh momentum to the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership.
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.