Uzbek and Pakistani leaders make joint statement to the media

On February 5, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif addressed the media following the first meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council held in Islamabad, the press service of the Uzbek president reported.

At the beginning of his remarks, President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the invitation to visit the country on a state visit and for the productive negotiations held.

He highlighted that rapidly developing Pakistan is a reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan. The wide-ranging reforms led by the Pakistani Prime Minister to improve public welfare, accelerate economic growth, and strengthen the country’s international standing were noted with appreciation by Uzbekistan.

The visit was also welcomed as it coincides with the fifth anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Over the past five years, bilateral trade has increased 2.5 times, and the number of joint ventures and projects has nearly tripled. Plans are underway to raise trade turnover to 2 billion USD, and a portfolio of prospective trade and investment agreements worth 3.5 billion USD has been formed.

At the conclusion of the talks, a Joint Declaration and nearly 30 key documents outlining priority areas of cooperation were signed.

Tomorrow, meetings with representatives of leading Pakistani companies are scheduled.

It was emphasized that Uzbekistan and Pakistan are committed to strengthening interconnectivity between Central and South Asia through consistent regional cooperation. Both sides expressed readiness to continue mutual support within international and regional organizations.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s active support of Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization. He also praised Pakistan’s efforts in 2025–2026 as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council to ensure peace and international stability.

Agreements were reached to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals, textiles, electrical engineering, mining, food industry, and agriculture. Special attention was given to developing transport and logistics links and creating favorable conditions for business.

To deepen interregional cooperation, the first Interregional Forum is scheduled to be held in Uzbekistan this year.

Plans were also announced to jointly organize cultural weeks and film festivals, as well as to study and popularize the scholarly and intellectual heritage of great thinkers.

Gratitude was expressed once again for naming one of Islamabad’s streets after Tashkent.

The president announced that a park in Islamabad would be named after the great statesman and poet Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, which will serve as a meaningful gift to the people of Pakistan on the eve of their Independence Day celebrations.

President Mirziyoyev expressed special thanks to Pakistan for awarding him the honorary titles of Doctor and Professor of the National University of Sciences and Technology.

Concluding his speech, he extended greetings to everyone on the upcoming Pakistan Day and the approaching holy month of Ramadan.

It should be recalled that Shavkat Mirziyoyev is currently in Pakistan on a state visit. During the visit, he toured the headquarters of Global Industrial and Defence Solutions, met with the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and received Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar.

An official welcoming ceremony for the President of Uzbekistan was held at the Prime Minister’s residence. In addition, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Shehbaz Sharif held private talks, chaired the first meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council at the highest level, and participated in a ceremony naming one of Islamabad’s streets after Tashkent and a newly established park after Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur. Following the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Shehbaz Sharif signed a Joint Declaration. A ceremony was also held to confer the honorary titles of Doctor and Professor of the National University of Sciences and Technology of Pakistan on Shavkat Mirziyoyev.