Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Islamabad for two-day visit

WEB DESK: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Pakistan on Thursday, February 5, for a high-profile two-day official visit aimed at deepening economic, energy, and regional connectivity ties between Central and South Asia.

The President, leading a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and top business leaders, was received with a formal welcome at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This marks Mirziyoyev’s second state visit to Pakistan, following his 2022 trip, signalling a steady upward trajectory in bilateral relations.

Key Agenda: $2 Billion Trade Target

The visit places strong emphasis on economic cooperation, with both nations aiming to double their bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next two years. A key highlight is the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum, where the President will address investors and witness the signing of new commercial agreements. Discussions will also focus on regional connectivity, including the Trans-Afghan Railway project and other corridors designed to link Uzbekistan’s landlocked markets with Pakistan’s deep-sea ports in Karachi and Gwadar.

High-Level Engagements

During his visit, President Mirziyoyev is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss matters of mutual interest and shared cultural heritage. He will also hold extensive delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, covering cooperation in defense, education, and energy. Additionally, the discussions will review the situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for peace to ensure the success of trans-regional infrastructure projects.

The Foreign Office stated that the visit reflects “brotherly ties rooted in common history and faith,” aiming to turn shared aspirations for prosperity into concrete economic outcomes.