LAHORE: President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Governor of Tashkent Region Zoir Mirzaev, who called on them along with a seven-member delegation in Lahore.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to declare Punjab and Tashkent as sister provinces and decided to form a special committee to advance bilateral cooperation. The two sides discussed opportunities for collaboration in tourism, agriculture, livestock, meat processing, beverages, citrus fruit and other sectors.
A proposal from Uzbekistan to establish a Babur Park in Lahore also came under consideration. The Tashkent governor praised the restoration of Mughal-era heritage sites in Lahore and commended the efforts of the Punjab government in preserving historical landmarks.
Mirzaev conveyed a message of goodwill from the president of Uzbekistan for the people of Pakistan, particularly those in Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz thanked him for the sentiments and accepted the invitation to visit Uzbekistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz Sharif said the people of Pakistan take pride in Uzbekistan’s rich cultural and scholarly heritage, noting that Samarkand has historically been a centre of knowledge and learning. He remarked that the first Mughal emperor came to the sub-continent from Fergana Valley and that his remarkable rule continues to be remembered in history.
He also highlighted Lahore’s centuries-old heritage and expressed his deep affection for the city, recalling that he would often visit Lahore even during his tenure as prime minister.
Governor Mirzaev described his meeting with Nawaz Sharif as an honour and expressed optimism about expanding social and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He said Uzbekistan offers significant opportunities for collaboration in sectors including tourism, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, adding that demand for textiles—particularly polyester—is high in Uzbekistan and Pakistani companies would be welcomed for joint ventures.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Uzbekistan is a brotherly country and emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral social and economic ties. She noted that her affection for Uzbekistan was inherited from her father Nawaz Sharif and her late mother.
She pointed out that several Uzbek cuisine restaurants in Lahore reflect the cultural affinity between the two nations.
Highlighting Punjab’s economic potential, the chief minister said the province accounts for about 70 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural production and hosts major industrial centres such as Sialkot, Wazirabad and Faisalabad.
Maryam Nawaz added that Pakistani rice is considered among the best in the world, while maize and wheat are also major crops in Punjab. She said the province is focusing on value-added agricultural and livestock products and has made significant investments to improve the quality of meat for export.
She expressed confidence that Pakistan and Uzbekistan could achieve remarkable results through cooperation, noting that Pakistan is emerging as a leader in value-added textiles, with products such as bed sheets, towels and other textile goods enjoying strong demand worldwide.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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