Pakistan, Uzbekistan eye $2bn bilateral trade

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have set an ambitious target of raising bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next five years, while direct air connectivity between the two countries is expected to expand to nine weekly flights by October 2026, signalling a major push to deepen economic and strategic ties.

The announcement came as Uzbekistan marked its 35th Independence Day at a grand reception hosted by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad, attended by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari as chief guest, senior government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev said that the friendship and trust between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif remained the main driving force behind the growing bilateral relationship.

He said the two leaders had held another productive meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, reaffirming their commitment to implementing existing agreements and further strengthening the strategic partnership.

The ambassador further said Uzbekistan welcomed Pakistan’s assumption of the chairmanship of the SCO and the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), adding that Tashkent was ready to work closely with Islamabad to promote regional unity, practical cooperation, peace, stability and sustainable development.

Highlighting the economic agenda, Tukhtaev said the two countries were working to achieve the $2 billion bilateral trade target over the next five years.

“To reach this goal, we are increasing direct contacts between our business communities, supporting investment projects, developing trade houses, strengthening banking relations and making it easier to move goods between our countries,” he said.

He said direct air connectivity had expanded rapidly, noting that only two years ago there were no direct flights between the two countries.

Today, regular passenger services connect Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore, while direct cargo flights have also been launched. With new routes, including flights to Karachi, the number of weekly flights is expected to reach nine by October 2026, he added.

The ambassador identified the proposed Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway as perhaps the most important project for the future, saying it could transform the regional connectivity landscape.

He said the railway could become a bridge between Central and South Asia by connecting markets, creating jobs, boosting trade and helping turn the region into an area of peace and shared prosperity.

He said Pakistan held a special place in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy and was viewed not merely as a regional partner but as a brotherly country sharing a vision of peace, connectivity and development.

He also thanked Pakistan for conferring its highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, describing the honour as a reflection of Pakistan’s respect for the Uzbek president and the special relationship between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Uzbekistan and wanted to expand cooperation in energy, trade, investment and regional connectivity.

He said stronger transport links could unlock new opportunities for both economies, while enhanced people-to-people and institutional contacts would further strengthen bilateral ties.

The celebrations coincided with Uzbekistan Tourism Days in Pakistan, aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening cultural and humanitarian linkages.