Pakistani PM’s Uzbekistan visit: Strengthening Central Asian ties

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is set to visit Uzbekistan in February this year, even as tensions continue to escalate along the Afghan-Pakistani border. This visit is not primarily linked to the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan, according to reports from Pakistani publications such as "The News International*". Instead, the visit is focused on Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Central Asian nations under its Vision Central Asia policy.

Accompanying the Prime Minister will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, along with other important federal ministers and a delegation of business representatives.

During his two-day visit, Sharif is expected to propose the use of Pakistan’s Karachi port for transit trade with Uzbekistan, as well as sign several key trade agreements aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

Additionally, the Prime Minister is also planning a visit to Azerbaijan, marking his third trip to Baku in less than seven months, where multiple agreements on economic cooperation are expected to be signed.

A key component of the visit involves the development of a railway project that will connect Uzbekistan to the Pakistani port of Karachi, passing through Afghanistan. This 760-km railway line is expected to reduce transportation time and costs significantly, offering an important route for trade between Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and other countries in the region. The $6 billion project, estimated to be completed by 2027, will be vital for boosting trade between the European Union, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan with Pakistan and other markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

However, the ongoing instability between Afghanistan and Pakistan complicates this endeavor. Recent clashes have occurred following Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on December 24, 2024, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. The Afghan government has responded by deploying troops to the border, and Taliban representatives have made clear their readiness for further escalation.

Despite these tensions, the focus of Shahbaz Sharif’s visit to Uzbekistan will be to enhance regional economic cooperation and continue fostering ties with Central Asia.