Bridges of friendship: towards new horizons of Uzbek-Pakistani partnership

In recent years, a new strategic vector has been increasingly formed in the Eurasian space - cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. The two countries, standing at the historical crossroads of ancient trade routes, are today consistently building a modern“architecture of interconnectedness”that permeates all key areas - economy, culture, education and technology. Common centuries-old historical roots dating back to the Great Silk Road are being transformed into specific projects and initiatives that can strengthen economic sustainability, ensure technological independence and create a solid foundation for regional integration.

Since the beginning of the 2020s, relations between Tashkent and Islamabad have developed progressively, largely facilitated by the decisive political will of the leaders of both countries. The Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed in 2021 set a high pace for the bilateral dialogue, opening a new page in the history of relations. Regular meetings of heads of state, active consultations of foreign policy departments and participation in international forums make it possible to timely discuss topical issues, find mutually acceptable solutions and identify promising areas of cooperation.

A clear indication of the strengthening of bilateral ties was the official visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan in February 2025 and the meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The leaders of both countries noted with deep satisfaction the impressive dynamics of multifaceted cooperation, which covers economics, investment, transport, digital technologies and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Highly appreciating the achievements of large-scale reforms in Uzbekistan during the years of Shavkat Mirziyoyev's presidency, Sh. Sharif said: “miracles are possible only thanks to a clear vision, high dynamics, hard work and a determined pursuit of a common goal.”

The culmination of the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Uzbekistan was the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council at the highest levelwhich gave bilateral relations a new strategic impetus. This step not only consolidated the agreements reached, but alsocreated a solid institutional platform for systemic interaction.

The legislative framework of bilateral cooperation plays a key role in strengthening the strategic interaction between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.A special contribution to this is made by interparliamentary friendship groups, which systematically promote legislative initiatives that facilitate simplification of procedures business interaction, increasing transparency and creating a reliable legal framework for the implementation of joint projects. Their work forms a long-term platform of trust, which ensures stability and predictability of bilateral relations.

The economic sector, in turn, is the most clear indicator of the dynamics of cooperation. Pakistan confidently occupies one of the leading places among Uzbekistan’s trading partners in South Asia, demonstrating an active interest in the Uzbek market. In recent years, trade turnover between the countries has increased many times and continues to grow steadily. In 2025, the volume of mutual trade exceeded $440 million, which is 12 times higher than in 2016, with special attention paid to the export of Uzbek products, amounting to more than $320 million.

These statistics not only reflect the growing interest of businesses in both countries in expanding mutually beneficial cooperation, but also demonstrate the fact of the formation of a more diversified and sustainable trade model, including new industries and segments. The current situation creates the basis for the subsequent development of investment flows, financial services, joint projects in the field of mining, energy and digital technologies, opening up additional opportunities for strategic deepening of the partnership.

In accordance with the agreements reached at the highest level, specific steps have been outlined to increase the volume of mutual trade turnover to $2 billion in the near future in the future.

An important tool for achieving this goal was the preferential trade agreement, which provides customs benefits for 17 items of goods on each side, which significantly facilitates the entry of companies into partner markets and stimulates the expansion of trade flows.

At the same time, there is a rapid expansion of business ties: more and more Uzbek and Pakistani companies find each other, create joint ventures and explore new niches. As of October 1, 2025, there are about 180 companies with Pakistani capital participation in Uzbekistan, which indicates a real increase in business confidence in joint projects and confidence in long-term partnerships.

Cooperation covers a wide range of industries - from the textile and food industries to the production of building materials, electrical engineering and logistics. Regular meetings of the intergovernmental commission, business forums and specialized exhibitions become convenient and effective platforms for direct dialogue between entrepreneurs, exchange of experience and conclusion of contracts. Already today, agreements signed at these sites amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, recording real economic returns and creating a solid basis for further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.

In 2024, Tashkent became the site for the first International Exhibition “Made in Pakistan” and a joint Logistics Forum, where more than 80 leading companies of Pakistan were represented. These events created a platform for direct dialogue between entrepreneurs, demonstrating the real possibilities of joint business and logistics interaction.

In response to this, a national exhibition “Made in Uzbekistan” was organized in Lahore in February 2025, which resulted in the conclusion of 181 trade agreements totaling $500 million. These events clearly illustrate bilateral interest in expanding trade turnover, as well as growing business confidence in the prospects of working together.

In parallel with this, significant successes in investment cooperation are being demonstrated. In 2024, $33 million of Pakistani investment was disbursed through joint projects, and between January and July 2025, this figure more than doubled, reaching almost $70 million. This steady growth in investment reflects increased mutual interest in long-term projects, confirms the stability of the business climate and opens up new opportunities for expanding strategic partnerships between countries.

Active work continues on joint projects in the textile, pharmaceutical and perfume industries, as well as in agrarian sector, which allows both parties not only to strengthen traditional sectors economy, but also to develop new niches with high potential for added value. Thus, in Pakistan, the Uzbek side is carrying out design studies on the production of household appliances, tractors, smart meters and modern gas blocks, which opens up opportunities for technological exchange and the introduction of modern production solutions.

Particular attention is paid to the digital sphere, where a wide range of promising initiatives are being formed: the development of software products, the creation of IT solutions for business and public services, as well as the development of joint startups and innovative projects. This direction makes it possible to accelerate technological modernization, increase the competitiveness of companies and ensure the integration of software products into key sectors of the economy.

The development of trade infrastructure is no less important. In 2025, trading houses of Uzbekistan were opened in Lahore and Karachi, and in the future it is planned to create Pakistani trade missions in Tashkent and Samarkand. These initiatives not only simplify the entry of companies into each other's markets, but also create apractical basis for expanding trade turnover, stimulate business cooperation and strengthen the confidence of the business community.

Thus, the combination of industrial, digital and infrastructure interaction creates amulti-level platform for the accelerated development of bilateral relations, turning Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation into a strategic a significant and mutually beneficial project.

The development of transport infrastructure remains a priority area of bilateral dialogue.Central and South Asia have been closely connected by trade and cultural routes for centuries, and today deliberate steps are being taken to restore this natural interconnectedness. Modern improvement of logistics, development of new transport corridors and simplification of transportation procedures create real opportunities for increasing trade turnover and deepening cooperation. For landlocked countries in Central Asia, reliable transport links are becominga key factor in sustainable economic growth and regional integration.

One ​​of the key projects is theTrans-Afghan Railway -a strategic corridor that can radicallytransform regional transport networks, strengthen the positions of countries as key participants in the Eurasian economic space and create a sustainable basis for trade, investment and logistics flows between Central and South Asia. By reducing the delivery time of goods from several weeks to 3–5 days, as well as reducing transport costs by 40% or more, this route will radically increase the competitiveness of goods from the countries of the region in foreign markets and stimulate export-import activity.

In 2025, concrete results were achieved: key components of the feasibility study were prepared and are ongoing intergovernmental consultations on route design and financial support conditions - this reinforces the implementation of the project at a practical level.

An equally important area remains energy cooperation, where both parties have significant potential for joint work. Projects for geological exploration, development of oil and gas fields, modernization and development of refining capacitiescan ensure strategic energy security, diversify energy sources and stimulate the industrial development of both countries.

Along with the economy, cultural and humanitarian interaction is actively developing, since the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan are united by a rich historical heritage that dates back roots during the Great Silk Road. Today, this commonality manifests itself in joint scientific projects, educational initiatives and cultural exchanges that strengthen human connections and form a long-term platform of trust.

Particular attention in Pakistan is paid to the concept of the Third Renaissance proposed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which is considered as the continuity of the rich historical and scientific heritage of Uzbekistan. The spiritual and scientific school, created by such outstanding scientists as Al-Khorezmi, Mirzo Ulugbek and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, serves as a source of inspiration for modern educational and innovative projects, fueling the cultural and intellectual connection between the countries.

The tourism sector deserves special attention - an important element of bilateral interaction. Uzbekistan, which has a unique spiritual and architectural heritage, is increasingly attracting Pakistani tourists and pilgrims. Ancient cities, historical monuments and mausoleums of outstanding scientists - Imam Bukhari, Imam Termezi, Bahauddin Naqshband - not only reveal the rich cultural and scientific tradition of the country, but also strengthen human ties, which are as strong as official interstate agreements.

A significant catalyst This process was the development of transport accessibility. Direct flights between Islamabad and Tashkent, as well as between Tashkent and Lahoreprovided a convenient travel opportunity that was used by more than 10 thousand tourists from Pakistan in 2025 - almost 2.5 times more than in 2023. This statistics demonstrates not only the demand for tourist routes, but alsothe effectiveness of integration steps in the transport and logistics spheres.

Taken together, tourism, cultural, educational and economic initiatives form a strong platform for deepening connectivity between Uzbekistan and Pakistan. This comprehensive model of cooperation not only increases the economic potential of the partnership, but alsostrengthens long-term trust, turning bilateral relations into a key component of regional integration between Central and South Asia.

The upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Islamabad in early February 2026 will be an important milestone in the development of the strategic partnership.It will create new opportunities for implementation of joint initiatives, activation of projects in the economy, transport, energy and digital technologies, and will also give cooperation an additional impetus, enhancing its practical effectiveness and strategic significance for both countries.

Today it is especially important to maintain high dynamics of interaction, build up practical mechanisms of cooperation, lower the dialogue to the lower levels of management, involve even more actively a wide range of participants - regions, small and medium-sized businesses, the scientific and academic community, youth and civil society institutions. Such an integrated approach will not only consolidate the achieved results, but also guarantee the sustainable growth of mutual cooperation, creating a platform for new joint projects and initiatives at all levels.

Thus, the “bridges of friendship” built between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, based on similar historical roots, common traditions and spiritual closeness,connect the past and the present, opening the way to further deepening of comprehensive cooperation. They transform traditional mutual trust intosustainable and long-term forms of partnershipthat will serve as a basis for expanding interaction at all levels - from local initiatives to strategic projects of regional importance.

Nigora Sultanova

Chief Researcher

Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan