PM Shehbaz, Uzbek president reaffirm commitment to strengthen ties

Both leaders meet on sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kazakhstan

ASTANA:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reaffirmed their commitment to multifaceted relations between their countries on Wednesday, vowing to expand cooperation in trade, connectivity, defence, security, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

The two leaders, meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Kazakhstan, expressed confidence that the operationalisation of the Preferential Trade Agreement and the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement would further enhance bilateral trade and economic relations, PM Office said in a statement.

Recognising Uzbekistan's importance as a transit point for trade expansion, the leaders agreed to explore various options to enhance connectivity. Discussions included improving trade links via Karachi Port to Tirmez.

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Prime Minister Sharif conveyed Pakistan’s eagerness to see a prosperous Central Asia and enhanced regional connectivity.

The leaders also addressed the situation in Afghanistan, emphasising the shared interest of both Pakistan and Uzbekistan in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan as a partner in regional development and prosperity.

Additionally, they discussed the early realization of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.