Uzbekistan and Pakistan Prepare for Interregional Forum

An expanded meeting on the current state of trade, economic and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan was held in Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev, as well as representatives of relevant ministries and agencies from both countries.

Participants reviewed the progress of agreements reached during the state visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan on February 5–6 this year and discussed priority areas for bilateral cooperation.

The talks focused on the construction of the Babur Park in Islamabad, advancement of the Trans-Afghan Railway project, expansion of air connectivity, acceleration of the preferential trade agreement, development of interbank cooperation and strengthening of interregional ties.

The Uzbek side noted that six direct flights per week are currently operating between Tashkent, Islamabad and Lahore, and proposed launching a direct Karachi–Tashkent air route. The Pakistani side positively assessed the initiative and expressed readiness to study the possibility of opening the new route.

Special attention was paid to the implementation of the Trans-Afghan Railway project. The sides emphasized that its timely realization would strengthen transport connectivity between Central and South Asia, increase freight volumes and enhance the region’s transit potential.

The participants also discussed accelerating work on the preferential trade agreement, improving interbank settlement mechanisms, implementing joint investment projects and fulfilling previously reached agreements, including the import of live cattle to Uzbekistan.

Following the meeting, the sides outlined tasks to prepare for the Uzbekistan–Pakistan Interregional Forum, scheduled to take place this year, which is expected to contribute to the launch of new trade and investment projects.